NYC Facades

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?

Over-door detail

This is quite a standout of a building; it reminds me of middle aged artist types who have tattoo sleeves (Sweet Pea from Project Runway, anyone?). I tried to get a close-up panorama of the decoration at the top, but it didn’t come out; note how the middle column and side columns have consistent decorations across.

Since this is on Central Park South, while I was taking pictures of the building, a woman came up  to take a picture of the carriage horse; she seemed to think it was just the funniest thing having the horse in front of a fancy building. (I didn’t agree.)

Of Columbus Circle fame

I was just taking a picture of the statue of Christopher Columbus, who seemed very out of place among the skyscrapers hundreds of feet to either side. That didn’t really pan out, but I did find it interesting having Columbus posing above the hurried man crossing the street.

It just so happens that there is another Christopher Columbus Statue in Riverdale, constructed by Robert Moses when he built the Henry Hudson Parkway. (Clearly, I don’t know the whole story.) I rode my bike up there, but didn’t get a chance to photograph the gent; perhaps another trip will take me there.