From the Ground Up: Building Bryant Park

From delicious food options and spacious lawn areas to summertime Broadway in the park and wintertime ice skating, Bryant Park is a staple of relaxation in New York. But it wasn’t always like it is today. From the ground up, let us take you back to the Bryant Park of centuries past.

We begin in 1686 when the area that we now know as the park grounds was designated as public property by New York Colonial Governor, Thomas Dongan. Fast forward to some 136 years later, the land came under New York City jurisdiction. Twenty years after that, it was used to create the Croton Distributing Reservoir, a four-acre man-made lake with 50-foot-high and 25-foot-thick granite walls, which was considered one of the greatest engineering triumphs of the 19th century. The New York City Common Council built a public park on the land next to the reservoir in 1846.

Thirty eight years later, Bryant Park was born when it was renamed to honor deceased poet William Cullen Bryant. During the 1920s, the northern half of the park was closed as the contractors building the Interborough Rapid Transit subway tunnel used the park as storage for their equipment. In 1934, the Architects’ Emergency Committee sponsored a contest to redesign the park, ultimately choosing Queens-based architect, Lusby Simpson, to get the job done. Simpson envisioned a classical scheme including a large central lawn, stone pathways, and an oval plaza with a large fountain. The park opened to the public on September 14, 1934.

After a few more renovations and revamps, including the improvement of pathways and lighting and the addition of new restaurants and food kiosks, Bryant Park officially  reopened in April of 1992. Today, Bryant Park’s Le Carrousel and Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain are trademarks of a piece of Manhattan with a history many of us probably weren’t aware of. Thanks to the hard work of developers and architects, we now enjoy Bryant Park as we know and love it.

We are your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 30 years of experience,AMAA is known for both its high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 for more information.

Architectural Secrets of NYC

When you think of hidden tunnels in NYC, do you imagine of sewer tubes filled with graffiti or underground spaces filled with rubble and collapsed bridges? Despite the scenes frequently depicted in movies, many of NYC’s architectural secrets are less mysterious than you’d think.

Goldwater Hospital Complex

The hospital system on Roosevelt Island was built in 1939 and eventually specialized in caring for wheelchair-bound patients. Underneath the complex lies an extremely long basement tunnel that connects all six buildings. Staring down the corridor, your eyes are met with hundreds of feet of shiny gold tile, rusting pipes, and a colorful array of wiring.

East New York Freight Tunnel

Photo Courtesy of Joseph Anastasio for Untapped Cities

This tunnel you actually may have seen in movies or TV shows. Well-known to graffiti artists and explorers, this train tunnel now has only one active track used by a short freight train traveling between Fresh Pond yard and the Bay Bridge. It also has an abandoned platform that was a part of the NY & Manhattan Beach Railway.

Columbia University Steam Tunnels

No stranger to historical stories, some of these tunnels date back to before Columbia University existed and the campus was still the Bloomingdale insane asylum. The conditions of the labyrinth-like tunnels vary, with some seemingly well-maintained and others run-down from lack of use. Adding even more historical intrigue, some of the tunnels once led to the building where early research was done for the Manhattan Project.

The Atlantic Avenue Tunnel

Built in 1844, this abandoned LIRR tunnel is the oldest sub-street tunnel in North America. It was closed in 1861, until a Brooklyn trolley enthusiast, Bob Diamond, rediscovered the tunnel in 1981. He was able to give the public tours for years before the city deemed it unsafe. To this day, Diamond swears there is an old locomotive train behind a wall that blocks off a part of the tunnel.

While these tunnels don’t all necessarily mimic the image portrayed on the silver screens, they are seriously interesting parts of New York City’s history. The only thing that would make them better is if we could go exploring in all of them.

Looking for more facts about NYC buildings and construction? Connect with AMAA on Facebook and Twitter! We are your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

Famously Fun Facts about the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel

Few Manhattan hotels can stand up to the illustrious history of the Waldorf-Astoria. As one of the largest art deco structures still standing in the world, it is also one of New York’s most storied hotels. However, after being purchased by a Chinese insurance group who plans to renovate and remodel the space to fit modern luxury trends, we must say goodbye to the hotel as we know it. With that in mind, here are five famously fun facts about the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

1. The hotel was built out of a family feud. William Waldorf Astor opened a 13-story hotel on 5th Avenue & 33rd Street and named it the Waldorf. Four years later, his cousin John Jacob Astor IV built a 17-story hotel, named the Astoria, to upstage William. Eventually the two ended their competition, connected the hotels with a corridor and combined the names.

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   Photo Credit: Conde Nast Traveler; Getty Images

   The corridor used to connect the hotels is the famous Peacock Alley. With a restaurant on each side during its creation, the alley was named so because male and female fashionistas of the time liked to strut through the space for the public to see. Now Peacock Alley is one of the most famous hotel lobby bars in the city.
3. The Waldorf-Astoria invented room service. Unheard of before the 1930s, the service-oriented hotel changed the industry forever. You can order almost anything during regular business hours and the hotel even has a special menu for hours between midnight and 5 a.m.
4. Track 61 is a secret train line only accessible from inside the Waldorf-Astoria. President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously took advantage of the hidden mode of transportation back during his time. Today, the train sits ready to be boarded by a president.
5. The hotel held some of the most famous names of the century. Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco held their engagement party at the hotel in 1956. Frank Sinatra was often a guest there, and Cole Porter bequeathed his Steinway to the Waldorf-Astoria after having such a deep love for the hotel.

While it is sad to think that the Waldorf-Astoria will soon no longer look like the beautiful space we know and love, we can always on all the historic memories it has created. To this beloved hotel: we’ll always have New York.

Looking for more facts about NYC buildings and construction? Connect with AMAA on Facebook and Twitter! We are your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

Four NYC Buildings with Secret Pasts

New York City is made of up thousands of buildings serving thousands of different purposes. But have you ever stopped to wonder if any of those buildings weren’t exactly what it seem? We bet you didn’t know that NYC is home to some buildings with secrets pasts. Take a look at these four to see which structures are hiding some history.

Plymouth Church

During the abolition movement, one of the pastors of this church, Henry Ward Beecher, was an anti-slavery activist whose congregation aligned with the cause. Upon looking at the church’s records, it’s apparent that the building served as a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. The tunnels, which were allegedly used to hide and transport those escaping slavery, are shown on tours of the church today.

Rockefeller Center

During World War II, three floors of Rockefeller Center became the base for a covert ops organization called “British Security Coordination”. Run by a huge secret agency, the operation meant to change the minds of Americans, to make them see joining the war in Europe as a good idea. Through black propaganda and manipulation, it aimed to keep Roosevelt safe from congress condemnation and poor approval at the polls during election season.

Grand Central Terminal

Like Rockefeller Center, a section of GCT has been kept a secret up until recent decades. The M42 power station under the terminal was kept under heavy guard before and after Nazi spies put a failed plan into place to destroy the sub-station during World War II. The reason it is so heavily protected is because it is a major powering hub for Grand Central Terminal and several surrounding buildings.

New York Public Library

To some bookworms, living in a library may sound like a dream. Some number of decades ago, it was a reality when Andrew Carnegie donated $5.2 million to build The Carnegie Libraries, a set of city-wide library branches with attached apartments. The occupants of these apartments were tasked with keeping the coal furnaces lit and the libraries warm. Today, only 13 (mostly deteriorated) apartments are left.

So as you wander around NYC, remind yourself that you may be walking past an old World War II hub or a building with some serious historical secrets. To keep up with more Manhattan building news, connect with AMAA on Facebook and Twitter!

We are your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 30 years of experience, Alan Margolin & Associates is known for both its high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more. Call us today at 212.867.6720 for more information.

7 of NYC's Oldest Homes That You Can Buy Today

Some of Manhattan’s most beautiful townhouses are also some of the oldest. With some of these structures dating back 400 years, you’d be surprised to find that they don’t look as “antique” as you would assume. Thanks to upkeep and modern renovation, these homes now have a sense of modernity while still keeping some of the original fixtures and charm. Throughout the years, these townhouses have been home to Hollywood celebrities, politicians, famous authors, and old-school socialites. If you have any interest in adding your name to the residents list, get excited, because you can now purchase some of the oldest New York City homes .

• 2 Center Market Place: The oldest of the list, this four-bedroom townhouse was built in 1800 and was formerly the home of design duo Bob & Cortney Novogratz. With an asking price of $7.995 million, it offers features like overhead skylights and a recording studio.
• 27 Vandam Street: Recently renovated by Matthew Baird Architects, this five-bedroom, four-bathroom home was originally built in 1823 and has an asking price of $15.95 million. Its impeccable details include six wood-burning fireplaces and a Japanese soaking tub/jacuzzi in the master bedroom’s private terrace.
• 121 Washington Place: This 5,000-square-foot home was originally built in 1931 and is currently asking $16.8 million.This place has definitely seen its fair share of fame with its residents list including names like Mark Twain, Willia Cather, and Muhammad Ali.
• 230 West 10th Street: Talk about a face lift. This $14.5 million carriage home built in 1834 shows no sign of its age. With its ultra-modern appearance, most of the original 19th century design is gone, leaving a 6,7000 square feet space with five bedrooms and rooftop terrace.

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  440 West 22nd Street (Source: NY Curbed )

  70 Cranberry Street: This 1852 townhouse has its renovation focused more on restoring it original details. With a $5.95 million asking price, the home offers amenities like two black-marble fireplaces and ceiling-to-floor windows.
• 440 West 22nd Street: Built around 1835, this 25-foot-wide house still has many of its original details such as a grand parlor and seven separate fireplaces. Asking for $8.8 million, the seven-bedroom, four-bathroom residence is currently set up as a three-family house with one duplex and two large apartments on the upper floors.
• 131 Charles Street: This four-story Federal-style townhouse comes with a separate two-story carriage house for $12.5 million. The early 19th-century, four-bedroom home has many of its original details, as does the carriage house with its own beamed sealing and natural lighting.

The reason each of these homes are able to survive for centuries is proper maintenance and inspection. When it comes to renovations and building, AMAA is your source for all special inspection needs in NYC.

AMAA is a leader in providing engineering and architectural services in the New York City construction industry. For over thirty years, our team of professional engineers, architects, certified inspection technicians, and top-tier administrators has provided our clients with a full range of New York City’s Special Inspection services. For more information, call 212-867-6720.