New York Athletic Club
Arcade detail
I have long found this building, with its arcade high off the ground, to be enchanting, as though it is an Arabian castle or a cathedral in cross-section and in a diorama high on display. What is the story behind it?
Its the New York Athletic Club: a combination social/dining club, gym and hotel for members. There are about half a dozen such facilities in NYC, and until fairly recently they were men-only. The arcade setup, if I remember correctly, is at the floor the gym is on. It was probably designed that way to incorporate a multi-story facility and its attendant structural needs without screwing up the entire building facade. Perhaps even in that era form followed function…
On closer examination, its the floor the dining hall is on. The gym is on a lower floor. Same idea, though, on form following function.
© 2012 Doug Reich. All Rights Reserved.
February 15, 2009
There is something Prince of Persia-esque about that arcade.