NYC Facades » Harlem

West 144th Street and Convent Avenue

Doug — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 01:08:44 +0000

I have trouble identifying the style on this building. Is it historicist?

461-465 West 144th Street

Doug — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:50:55 +0000

Three beautiful townhouses

I happened past these town houses and was simply awestruck.Their curb appeal is immense; set back, architecturally unique, well-kept. The whole block is something else. (See a mention of the style of this area in this article linked also from the St. Luke’s Church page.)

How did it come to pass that Harlem has the best single family home architecture? What architectural style are these in, anyway?

St. Luke’s Church

Doug — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:26:14 +0000

Dirty but beautiful

I love finding details that people overlook. I think this church is a good example for many reasons, the least of which is the dirt it has accumulated. Take for example the small staircase and entrance at the rear; it reminds me of secret entrances to a castle. Or the size and direction of the stained glass in the chapel; I can only imagine how splendid it is in morning light.

See also this article on the church’s history.

City College North Academic Center

Doug — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:09:40 +0000

A massive modern building with its own appeal

When I first visited this part of the campus, the sun was behind it and the effect of it shining through the entrance at the center of the picture. It was also between classes, and hundreds of students were swarming over the plaza and stairs. This picture does not do justice to both the enormity and also the redeeming merits of the building I saw then.

Older City College Buildings, 137th Street and Convent Avenue

Doug — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:06:49 +0000

Panorama facing west. Click for a much bigger version.

Steinman Hall from the eastern, St. Nicholas Terrace

Detail of the doorway to east entrance to Steinman Hall

The flagship campus of City University of New York is City College, at 137th Street and Convent avenue. Top is a panorama of the campus, with the North Academic Center at left, and Wingate, Harris, Compton & Goethals, and Baskerville Halls are the gothic buildings left to right from there. This picture is taken from in front of Steinman Hall; the bottom to pictures are from the east side of the campus on St. Nicholas Campus, and are of the other side of Steinman Hall.

The entire old campus has great curb appeal, and I found it a very inspiring setting.

Here is a map of City College I used; match it up to the Google map (you may need to zoom in).