Outside Grand Central Station, in Midtown

Photo by myself outside Grand Central Station, at Park Avenue and 42nd Street.

Grand Central Station is one of the most stately and photogenic buildings in New York. The lighting of the building is superb at night.

The delicate bridge in the foreground brings traffic down to Park Avenue. Cars heading south zip around the building at a higher level, then travel down a ramp to street level. It is a very cool moment in the city.

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I apologize for what I consider to be a cliche'd photo today. I worked much too late Wednesday night and while searching for a cab, I found myself outside Grand Central.

It's been so busy and stressful lately. I will spare you my complaints. Fortunately, Mark and I are off to visit LA for the weekend, for some much-needed rest and time with my parents.

This blog will keep running, of course, never fear.

Related posts: The Crowds in Grand Central, Grand Central and Tall Tales and On Street Photography and Grand Central Station.

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On Rainy Nights and Busy Days

Photo by myself at Broadway and 35th Street, in Midtown.

The image above was taken about a month ago, when it was still okay to wear short sleeves. Now, no longer.

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Has this been the fastest week ever?

One project on the Upper East Side is wrapping up. The contractor is working furiously so the client can move in before Thanksgiving. Fifteen guys are in the apartment, staining floors, painting walls and installing tile.

One guy perches on a ladder skim coating a hallway. He has to climb down every time someone walks by, so the walls aren't damaged by equipment or the stray brush of a hand. It is mayhem.

In the end, it will turn out fine. Little oversights and mistakes pop up, things overlooked in the process. I've been having work nightmares, because of it. One dream involved me in a dingy room crammed with furniture, and it was my job to somehow make it look good.

When I encounter a mistake, I usually ask myself: 'Did anyone die?' Answer to that has so far been 'no'. Then I tell myself that I'll never make that particular mistake again, and carry on.

TGIF everyone!

Related posts: Rain, Rain, Go Away, Umbrellas in Midtown and Hailing in the Rain, Midtown/a>.

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On Singing Groups and the Current Vibe

Photo by myself in SoHo, around Prince and Greene Streets.

A spirited singing group drew a happy crowd. When the weather is nice, there's a whole lot of music going on.

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Not much to report here, except that the economic situation is still mixed.

One of my friends who had been out of work for over a year finally got a job. But then another friend, who has a stay-at-home wife, children and a mortgage, was suddenly laid off.

The friend now out of work consulted headhunters, who say there are many more jobs available than last year. So there is some hope.

My profession has been affected quite a bit. Fear grips those planning to renovate their apartments. Owners are incessantly concerned about resale value, and don't want to invest too much money. People are spending about half as much as they usually do, but then they still want it all.

It's too bad - it's become all about money rather than the enjoyment of their own home. When dealing with contractors during the negotiation process, I feel more like a real estate broker than an architect. Wheeling and dealing, that kind of thing.

Related posts: Sound the Horns in Union Square, Singing the Blues, Below Ground and On Bach Partitas and Danger Underground.

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On Police Precincts and Commuting Whilst Asleep

Photo by myself in Soho, around Centre and Broome Streets.

This gorgeously ritzy building just outside Little Italy was once a police station. It now houses large condo apartments. Last month, a one-bedroom in the building sold for nearly $4 million, while a four-bedroom went for nearly $20 million.

It's been long rumored that 240 Centre Street is home to runway models and celebrities like George Clooney. I've walked by many times and have never seen anyone coming out or going in.

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Apologies for being a bit out of it, recently. Things have been getting busier at the office, which is a good thing, I suppose.

Thursday morning involved a harrowing subway ride from Brooklyn to the Upper East Side. I woke up late and had exactly one hour to get from Park Slope to 94th Street and Park Avenue for a 9am meeting.

An hour is cutting it close, but it can be done if there are no delays. I raced to the subway and changed to a #5 express train, which arrived within moments. I was golden. All the stars were aligned. At 8:53, my train stopped at 86th Street and Lexington.

Then stupid me stayed on the train. Stupid me forgot the train was an express train and would not stop at 96th Street, so that I could walk the few blocks to the meeting, triumphantly on time. The doors closed and the train started and kept going and going.

Subway stops whizzed by. I started to sweat. All other passengers read their papers or enjoyed the ride, but I fidgeted frantically. A voice announced that the next stop would be '125th Street, Harlem'.

How many years have I lived here? Don't I know it's better to check the silly map than to board a train unknowingly? Duh?

In the end I was just a few minutes late, thank god, but I could have been triumphantly right on time! There's a lesson in this, people! Be alert, for heaven's sake!

Related posts: Dusk Among Towers, From Under the Bridge and Details, Details.

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Looking Up, in More Ways Than One

Photo by myself of the Sony Building in Midtown, around Madison Avenue and 56th Street.

This is the building where the atrium in yesterday's post is located. Designed in the mid-80's by Phillip Johnson, the former AT&T building is one of the most recognizable buildings from that period.

The top of the tower has been compared to a piece of furniture, a Chippendale highboy. There is an enormous arch at the foot of the building, some seven stories high.

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You might be interested to know that two architect friends become employed last week, one full time, the other temporarily. Both had been out of work for over six months. Needless to say, they are both ecstatic and nervous.

Hopefully this economy is finally righting itself. It has been tough on everyone.

Related posts: Climbing the Times, Building Big and Architectural Detail, Above.

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Hailing a Cab, Outside the Hudson Hotel

Photo by myself outside the Hudson Hotel, around 58th Street and 9th Avenue.

There was a little bit of a scene outside the Hudson Hotel, which was designed by Philippe Starck.

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Not much to report from this front. The Yankees won their 27th World Series last week. I watched part of the last game, and it was inevitable that the Yanks would win. I hope another team wins next year and the year after that!

Work is picking up, with clients demanding that things be done yesterday. One project is rushing to wrap up before Christmas. It's a small renovation out in Connecticut, where the pace is a bit slower than it is in the city. The race to the finish will be similar to driving a jalopy on the freeway. Oy vey!

I visited the project last week, meeting with the cabinetmakers and contractor. Funnily enough, they asked whether a New Yorker could ever live in the country. 'Would you be able to handle it out here?' they asked, and chuckled to themselves.

Related posts: A View from New York and the Plaza Hotel, On How the Streets are Numbered in this City and Going for the Gold.

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Hot Diggity Dogs, All Day Long

Photo by myself on the Upper West Side, around 72nd Street and Broadway.

Gray's Papaya is a popular chain of hot dog eateries in Manhattan. They serve up hot dogs and fresh juices, such as pineapple, pina colada and orange. Their frothy, creamy papaya juice is quite delectable.

Open 24/7, Gray's is super-convenient if, say, you are stumbling home after a long night out and have the munchies. Eating standing up, facing the sidewalk, you cannot help but feel like a true New Yorker.

Gray's has been mentioned on Anthony Bourdain's food show No Reservations. Bourdain is no snob. He gave the place two thumbs up.

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It is suddenly busy at the office. Everyone is working quickly and staying later, a big change from a few months ago.

However, we're not hiring. I think that's the norm out there - things are looking better than before, however employers aren't hiring people. Yet.

I have friends who have been out of work for 5 or 6 months, and they are frankly going a little nuts. Psychologically, it is tough, dealing with the uncertainty and stress. Fortunately (I suppose, if there is such a thing) those I know who are unemployed are single, meaning they don't have kids.

Anyway, I hope that those who don't have jobs can at least know that things are getting better, albeit slowly. We will weather this storm, yet.

Related posts: The Meal Obama Cart, Midtown, Just Deserts and Food, Glorious Food.

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Seeing Red on the Lower East Side

Photo by myself somewhere on the Lower East Side.

Above the roll down door on the facade look to be 1950s style tail lights.

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Note to places outside New York: the economic recovery is creeping upon us. Fret not.

I've suddenly found myself mildly swamped at work. Also, a couple friends who have been looking for work for months have found freelance gigs.

Things are just starting to look up, here. How are things where you live?

Related posts: Making Off with the Lower East Side, On Tenement Life and Cable TV and An Early Spring on the Lower East Side.

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Getting the Goods on Canal Street

Photo by myself in Chinatown on Canal Street.

Boxed brand name perfumes can be found here, as well as jewelry and anything else you can imagine.

On a recent trip I felt the shopkeepers were more aggressive than usual, standing in the middle of the sidewalk and hailing potential customers.

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Sorry to say I'm in a little bit of a photography slump.

It happens now and again. Then out of nowhere, the inspiration comes back and everything looks shiny new and hopeful.

The sluggish economy is also getting to me. Of course, I like the extra down time and I'm grateful to still be working (for this moment, at least!). With luck, things will pick up this Fall.

Is business still lagging in your neck of the woods, dear readers?

Related posts: Happy Thanksgiving, from Macy's, and Browsing Around in the Village.

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On What's Playing Around Town and at Home

Photo by myself on Fifth Avenue, around 22nd Street.

Like any good capitalist city, New York takes advantage of available ad space. Any construction site is fair game for posters.

Above, billboards announce The September Issue, a documentary about Vogue Magazine's Anna Wintour, which opened last week. Coming up, the Black Crowes are playing in Central Park on September 2nd. Mark and I are tempted to attend.

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I haven't posted much about our little family, since there's not much to tell. The summer has zoomed by. Work is much less demanding. I stumble in later, I leave earlier. A luxury.


Much of our time is spent playing with Rupert, who is a whopping one year old. He puts all his energy into playing until he plops over exhausted.

Above, he stands patiently with his rope toy. He is saying, Momma, enough with the photo-op, let's play!

Related posts: Who's Playing, the East Village, A Rupert Update and What's Black and White and Red All Over?.

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On Curvy Walls and Stone Slabs

Photo by myself in Chelsea, around little West 12th Street and Washington Street.

I'm not 100% of the location of the new apartment building above. I think I took the photo near High Line Gansevoort entrance, a month ago.

I'm sure the building exterior is nearly complete by now. When planned well in advance, the process of putting in glass takes little time.

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It's hard for me to believe that I haven't been outside my apartment in over a week. Eek.

I feel nearly 100% now, making my way back from the chicken pox. The sad thing is that I look nothing near normal. I look like one of those zombies that's just climbed out of the cemetery, looking for lunch (!).

Anyway, I wanted to share some photos of a field trip from last week, before I fell sick, to a stone yard outside New York City. The warehouse was huge, filled with slabs of marble, granite, onyx, quartzite and other gorgeous stones.



I went with my boss and the client, to look at slabs we had reserved, before placing the final order. These slabs were pretty large, about 6' by 8' pieces, all stacked against each other.

When you wanted to see a slab, two men would find it in the warehouse, and slip two belts attached to a winch around the stone. The winch picked up the belts, hauling the slab high up in the air. The slab would be brought to the front of the stack.

It was incredible just to wander around the warehouse, looking at these gorgeous pieces of stone. I was absolutely flabbergasted.

Some stone looked too gorgeous to be cut into countertops or bathtub decks, fireplaces or floors. Some looked unreal. Others looked like paintings.






Above, a little difficult to understand, but there is a red ladder leaning up against the stone, which itself reminds me of Van Gogh's Starry Night.

Fortunately all the stone we had reserved looked great. The client was very pleased, and I was relieved.

Related posts: On Public Art at the Lever House, Building for a Greener Environment and Architecture, a Glorified Profession.

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On the WTC and My Big Toe

Photo by myself near the World Trade Center site.

Construction is progressing at the World Trade Center site.

There isn't a formal viewing platform any more, but you can get views of the site from a pedestrian walkway that traverses the West Side Highway.

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There are a million differences between very high end residential projects and tall buildings.

One is that with a fancy house, you're much more concerned about protecting it than protecting yourself. You wear hard hats only for a brief time, when the house is being framed in.

When a house nears completion, you walk around wearing little booties covering your shoes. All the workers and contractor and client will do this. It looks funny, but it's to prevent the stained wood floors and carpets from being marked up.

One day at my former job, I visited a house with my boss. It was a gorgeous, formal home in Montreal, located on a hill that overlooked the city. There were heavy drapes and huge curtain rods and framed art on each wall.

Since the project had long been completed, there weren't booties available. As customary, we took off our shoes.

Except I had an enormous hole in the toe of my black stocking.

Huge. My big toe stuck out of the hole, the nail covered in a bright fuscia nail polish.

'WHAT....is that.' My boss said, his head tipped down, brows furrowed, looking over his glasses. I'm sure he had never seen a big toe sticking out of a stocking before.

'Uh....'

That day I hopped around behind pieces of furniture. Eek!

Related posts: Night View at the World Trade Center, Architecture, A Glorified Profession and Trinity Church, At Dusk.

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Images of Hope

Photo by myself in Union Square, around 14th Street and Broadway.

One of several tables chock full of Obama items in this public space known for political expression.

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Tuesday I didn't feel well, so I left the office early and walked to Union Square. On the way, I saw multiple storefronts and office space seeking tenants. You wouldn't notice the trend unless you were looking for the signs.

So many buildings are under construction and repair right now that the city still looks like it's humming along. For the past several years, there has been scaffolding everywhere...so much so that it's useless to cross the street to avoid it, since the buildings across the street have scaffolding, too.

When I arrived in Union Square, I was struck by how many vendors were selling posters, t-shirts and other items with Obama's likeness. The contrast between the empty storefronts and the images of hope struck me in a deep way.

It's been months since the economic downturn has taken hold. Companies are struggling, and many people I know are out of work. If there is any a time that we need hope, it's now. And these emblems and images are it.

There were no tables full of Yankees insignias, images of 9/11 or even New York City. Instead, tables were filled with images of the President of the United States and the First Family.

How surprising and appropriate and moving is that?

Related posts: Union Square in Black and White, The Guy with a Cat on His Head and The Markets in Union Square.

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Signs of the Times

Photo by myself in front of the American Legion in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

This neighborhood is actually quite charming, with old brownstones, tree-lined streets and little stores. Graffiti is rare in this area.

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A friend of mine told me about her office. They placed an ad in the Sunday Times for a receptionist. Their long-time receptionist had moved to Boston.

The ad was phoned in on Friday afternoon. It ran in the paper version and online. By Monday morning, the office received over 600 resumes.

Whew! TGIF, everyone!

Related posts: It's a Free Country, After All, A Dollar and a Dream and On the Boardwalk, in Coney Island.

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Public Art at the Lever House

Photo by myself in the courtyard of the Lever House, at 390 Park Avenue, at Park Avenue and 53rd Street.

A collection of giant bronze sculptures is currently on display at the Lever House, one of the seminal buildings in modern architecture. By the artist Tom Sachs, these huge Hello Kitty and bunny sculptures provide startling contrast to their surroundings.

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I never thought Hello Kitty and the Lever House could go together, but here they are!

The Lever House is one of my favorite tall buildings, for its gorgeous, spare detailing. It was built in 1951 by SOM (Skidmore, Owings and Merrill). The curtain walls of this building are made of stainless steel, which resembles a precious metal.

I walked by the Lever House Tuesday afternoon. It was lovely to see people enjoying the courtyard, which seems perfectly sized. There's a 24-story building there, but you wouldn't know it.

For the snazzy website for the Lever House restaurant, click here
For more on the Hello Kitty installation, click here.

Related posts: Architecture, A Glorified Profession, Building Big and Looking Up, in Park Slope.

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The View from New York and the Plaza Hotel

Photo by myself of the Plaza Hotel, on 59th Street and Fifth Avenue.

This entire building used to be a hotel. In 2007, some of the upper floors were converted into condominium units, which would enjoy the hotel amenities. Ownership was changed and all of the Plaza fixtures were sold off. Many wound up on ebay.

According to Wikipedia, one of the Plaza apartments sold for $53 million (yes, you heard me) in May, 2007. The apartments are actually not ideal - the ceiling heights are low, because the building added central air conditioning after being built.

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Of course, images like the one above are a little silly now.

It's a stressful time, and I don't want to give the wrong idea that New Yorkers are whistling and skipping merrily. Not at all. But then I don't want to post negative news, so I feel a bit torn.

I see a lot of people shopping, but most are probably tourists. Most New Yorkers are feeling very anxious. They eat and drink on Fridays and the weekend, but most are staying in, the rest of the week.

More friends were laid off this week. The mood is not so great. Fortunately our community is small and we're all looking out for each other.

Anyhow, I'm looking forward to a weekend of pure relaxation. Mark and I don't have anything definite planned...just some intense hanging out with the cat and dog, and perhaps some loafing around on the sofa!

I truly hope everyone out there is doing all right. Happy weekend!

Related posts: Queuing Up at Grand Central Terminal, Lower Fifth Avenue and TGIF.

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Grand Central and Tall Tales

Photo by myself on Park Avenue and 42nd Street.

I took this photo from the back of a cab Tuesday night. There's a piece of Park Avenue that winds around under the Pan Am Building at 42nd Street before becoming Park Avenue South.

The view of Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler building from below is the most striking at night.

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When you work on fancy houses, things get tricky near the end of the project.

The floors are sanded, the walls and cabinets are painted. Lights and hardware are installed. Everything has to remain pristine until the owners move in.

To keep the site clean, you remove your shoes and either pad around in socks or wear little booties. I write all this because one of my coworkers showed up to her job site Tuesday morning, only to find that she forgot to put on socks (!). She had to borrow a pair from the client before stepping across the threshold.

The story was told over lunch, in teary-eyed laughter. We spent the rest of lunch discussing whether she should launder the socks and return them to the client, or buy a new pair altogether.

Her story reminded me of a time I showed up at a job site with a huge hole in the big toe of my stockings. My toenail, painted a hot pink, kept peeking out the hole. I had to hop behind pieces of furniture to hide.

Oh the adventures we architects have at the workplace!

Related posts: Queuing Up At Grand Central Terminal, Life on the Edge of a Very Big Precipice (in my Little Head) and My First Run-In With the NYPD.

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What's Going Up, Near the ESB

Photo by myself of the Empire State Building, at 35th Street and Fifth Avenue.

No, the Empire State Building isn't under construction, but a building nearby is. There is still some construction going on in the city. NY1, the local news channel here, reports that some 5 billion dollars in construction has been postponed in the city.

Incidentally, the Empire State itself went up during the Depression. After being built in just two years, it sat empty for a long time. According to Wikipedia, the ESB did not turn a profit until its 20th year.

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The keywords 'the cost of living in New York' are still the most popular referrals to this site. Whether that means people are curious about how much it costs to live here, or whether they're planning to relocate is still unclear.

From the trenches, I can report that I haven't seen anything toooo drastic, but then, I'm not in finance. There is a general fear of layoffs in my industry. Work is still coming into the office, though not as much as before. Contractors have been slashing their estimates to get work.

Some clients have postponed their projects. Others have scaled back scope. So far our office hasn't had to let anyone go. Let's hope it stays that way.

I must say that I was shocked to see on television the other day a commercial for apartments (was it in Queens?). Never, ever, EVER did I think I'd see tv ads for rental apartments in a city where it seemed that everyone was fighting to move in.

My, how times have changed.

Related posts: The Cost of Living Here, The Cost of Living Here Part II, or Life in Playland and Through the Roof.

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Skating Under the Empire State

Photo by myself in Bryant Park, at 42nd Street and 6th Avenue.

Each winter, an ice rink replaces the grass in this popular park near the Main Library on 42nd Street. The $12 admission fee includes the skate rental. In the background looms the Empire State Building.

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Tuesday was a late night at the office for me...midnight, to be exact. And the crazy thing is, I was not the only one there! A couple of my coworkers were also slogging it out on their projects.

Fortunately, Wednesday's meeting went well. The owners live in a gorgeous apartment on the Upper East Side. Because of the economy, they are postponing the project for a year - adding central air conditioning, and completely redoing several rooms, now that their children have left the nest.

As a treat, I walked around after the meeting to take some photos. It was fun to see hoards of people skating around, enjoying themselves in the night air.

Related posts: Out to Lunch, Braving the Chill in Bryant Park, and Mass Mentality.

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Grace Church, in Color

Photo by myself outside Grace Church, on Broadway and 11th Street.

You wouldn't think this is a photo from Manhattan, but it is. This little neo-Gothic church just below Union Square is gated off from the busy street.

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As for most New Yorkers, work is instantly nuts for me - a client meeting is scheduled for Wednesday. My first day back was a twelve-hour day. Tomorrow promises to be the same.

Unfortunately, I took a cab home with a madman driving. It was one of those cabs where the back seat was set low, so only the tippy top of one's head peeks out the window. My eyes could not find a horizon to focus on. By the time we reached the Brooklyn Bridge, my head was swimming.

I got home to Mark and Rupert (our dog) and Dida (our cat) conked out on the sofa, one on top of the other in a heap.

It was a welcome end to the evening. There is nothing like coming home your dear ones blissfully asleep, unaware of dodgy cab rides, deadlines and the trivial world outside.

Related posts: Grace Church in Black and White, No Place is Perfect and On Eating Chicken Sandwiches in Montreal.

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