Metropolitan Museum of Art
Photo by Ezra Zeitler
The Met consists of two buildings. The main building located on Fifth Avenue and The Cloisters Museum and Gardens located in Fort Tryon Park. The museum houses over two million pieces which are contained within the two million square feet layout. The building stands three stories tall, including a mezzanine, and exhibits eighteen galleries. The conception of the Met fabricated in 1866 Paris, France when a group of Americans fathomed bringing a “national institution and gallery of art” to America. This institution would bring art and art education to its citizens. The Met opened its doors on 13 April 1870 on lower 5th avenue, just blocks away from its current location. Ten years later, The Met moved to its current home and has been there since. The architecture of the Met started out with a Ruskinian Gothic structure designed by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould which has evolved over the years as the museum expanded. December 1902 Richard Morris Hunt has renovated the architecture to Beaux-Arts. From 1988 – present, the Met has undergone several renovations, one including a fifteen year renovation. "One of the finest in the world, and the only public building in recent years which approaches in dignity and grandeur the museums of the old world", stated by The Evening Post December 1902 edition. And the statement still stands true today to this world renowned museum.
Central Park
Central Park is an escape to nature for New Yorkers complete with lakes, ponds and vast expanses of green grass. The 843 acres of Central Park stretch from 59th street to 110th street. Funding of the massive venture was a source of debate for three years leading up to construction in 1850. Completion of the park cost $10 million dollars, which was three times the city’s budget. Like many projects in New York City, a design competition was formed to select the design for the park. City commissioners chose the Greensward plan for the final concept of the layout. The park was opened in December of 1858. The Greensward plan called for a “self-contained pastoral landscape” to ensure the refuge-like esthetic of the park. In the late nineteenth century, New Yorkers lobbied for a change in the design to allow entrance by more people. New entrances were built on 62nd, 72nd and 66ths streets. Throughout time, many changes have enhanced Central Park. The park now includes two ice skating rinks, a carousel, swimming pool, baseball fields, tennis courts, a Children’s’ Zoo and even performance centers. The Met, Institute of Fine Arts Foundation, Mt. Sinai Hospital, the American Museum of Natural History and other important features of New York City line the park. The natural landscape and diverse attractions draw thousands New Yorkers and tourists to Central Park everyday.
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Bryant Park
Photo by Corrin Turkowitch
Bryant Park is a privately managed city park located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Manhattan. Originally named Reservoir Square, the area was first developed as a park in 1847 and thus remains steeped in American history. In 1884, the park was renamed Bryant Park in honor of William Cullen Bryant, a notable abolitionist and editor of the New York Evening Post. Unfortunately, years of neglect left the park in a state of decay, and in 1933 the park was redesigned as a Great Depression public works project. During the fall of 1969, the park played an important role in the anti-war effort, as 40,000 people gathered to protest the Vietnam War. In the 1970s, however, the park became a notorious staging ground for drug dealers, prostitutes and thieves. Plagued by the growing heroin epidemic, the park was nicknamed "Needle Park" because of the syringes that littered the landscape. In an effort to revitalize the park, a parks advocacy ground called the Parks Council helped to establish a variety of nearby amenities, such as book markets, flower shops, cafes and entertainment activities. In 1988, the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation developed a plan to re-design and restore the park. After a four year effort, the park reopened in 1992. Currently, it symbolizes the city's revival in the 1990s. Today, the park hosts roughly 800 visitors every day and remains essentially crime free.
Madison Square Park
Photo by Corrin Turkowitch
Madison Square Park- Located at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway at 23rd street New York, within this park is arguably the best burger in New York. Madison Square Park is home to the Shake Shack and there are is a wide variety of America’s classic dishes; the burger, hot dogs, frozen custard and of course milkshakes. The park’s area is 6.2 acres so it is a small Manhattan park. Standing adjacent to the park is the iconic Flatiron Building. Upon completion in 1902 this wedge shaped building was among the tallest in the whole city.
The Late Show with David LettermanThe group was surprised by Professor Weichelt and Professor Zeitler with tickets to the David Letterman show on Day 3. Getting a behind the scenes look at the Late Show production, the Show proved to be a well oiled machine. The featured guests included Jennifer Lawrence, the actress from the hot new movie the Hunger Games and author of the riveting biography, William Henry Harrison, the White House's shortest term president. The Shins were the featured music act and were an excellent conclusion to a fantastic afternoon of laughter.
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United Nations HeadquartersLocated in the Turtle Bay neighborhood on the east side of Midtown Manhattan, the United Nations (UN) Headquarters sits on 17 acres of land. Founded on October 24, 1945 under the United Nations Charter, the UN is committed to maintaining international peace and security. 192 countries are members of the UN whose purpose is to keep peace throughout the world, develop friendly relations among nations, and help nations work together and encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms. The UN complex was constructed between 1949-50 which includes the 38-storey Secretariat Tower, General Assembly Hall, Dag Hammarskjӧld Library, and Conference and Visitors Center. The UN Headquarters has its own security force, fire department and postal administration.
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1520 Sedgwick Ave (Bronx)Built in 1967 as public housing for persons displaced by the Cross Bronx Expressway, it gained notoriety as the birthplace of Hip Hop. This new sound was pioneered by Jamaican Born DJ Kool Herc (Clive Campbell) who mastered the art of mixing snippets of two or more songs at the same time during a party he hosted at 1520 Sedgwick in 1973. As Hip Hop progressed, New York artists like Run DMC, Public Enemy, and a Tribe Called Quest helped usher in what has been called the Golden Age of Hip Hop.
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Empire State Building
Photo by Ezra Zeitler
The Empire State Building can be found at 350 5th Avenue between 33rd and 34 streets in midtown Manhattan. Presently, the Empire State Building is the 18th tallest structure in the world. It is considered the world’s most famous office building due to its central location to numerous subways, bus terminals and shopping centers in downtown New York. Construction took only 13 months and was completed in 1931. Rising 102 stories from the pavement, the Empire State Building stands 1,454 feet tall. The 3,500 workers averaged and amazing 4.5 stories per week and put in over 7 million man hours into the construction of the building. The effects of the Great Depression resulted in a much lower building cost than expected ($24.7 million). Remarkably during the entire construction process only 5 men died. Perhaps most importantly, building the Empire State Building advanced infrastructure around the area due to the necessity of rail and boat networks to bring supplies to the site.
The Empire State Building was made a well-known national landmark through the movie King Kong (1933). The release of the movie was partially to help increase awareness and gain tenants. Observations on the 86th and 102nd floor provide a 360 degree view of New York City. The panoramic views from the top observatory offer a unique glimpse into the bustling life below. Five different states can be seen from the top observatory. A trip to the top will cost you but the views are priceless lifelong memories. Trip information can be found at http://www.skyride.com/.
Architectural sustainability is becoming a standard in New York City as well as other major urban centers around the world. Buildings in New York are responsible for 70% of the cities carbon footprint and account for ¼ of the greenhouse gas emissions. A recent sustainability remodel of the building will result in a 38% energy reduction which will help save $4.4 million dollars in annual operating costs by its completion in 2013. Replacing 6,514 windows, refurbishing heating and cooling systems and installing high efficiency radiators has contributed to the reduced operating costs. After the green remodel, co2 emissions will fall by 102 metric tons. The Empire State Building is serving as a blueprint for future architectural sustainability efforts in New York.
The Empire State Building was made a well-known national landmark through the movie King Kong (1933). The release of the movie was partially to help increase awareness and gain tenants. Observations on the 86th and 102nd floor provide a 360 degree view of New York City. The panoramic views from the top observatory offer a unique glimpse into the bustling life below. Five different states can be seen from the top observatory. A trip to the top will cost you but the views are priceless lifelong memories. Trip information can be found at http://www.skyride.com/.
Architectural sustainability is becoming a standard in New York City as well as other major urban centers around the world. Buildings in New York are responsible for 70% of the cities carbon footprint and account for ¼ of the greenhouse gas emissions. A recent sustainability remodel of the building will result in a 38% energy reduction which will help save $4.4 million dollars in annual operating costs by its completion in 2013. Replacing 6,514 windows, refurbishing heating and cooling systems and installing high efficiency radiators has contributed to the reduced operating costs. After the green remodel, co2 emissions will fall by 102 metric tons. The Empire State Building is serving as a blueprint for future architectural sustainability efforts in New York.
Times Square
Photo by Hillary Johnson
Times Square is a commercial and entertainment hub located between 6th and 9th avenue and stretching from 40th and 53rd street. Known for its bright lights and innovative advertising, Times Square has been a tourist destination throughout time. This district became known as “Times Square” after the newspaper New York Times moved into the Longacre Square Building on 42nd street. Although The New York Times has since moved, the name hasn’t change. It is for this reason that major news centers such as Good Morning America call Times Square home to this day. This reflects the areas “up to the minute” relevance to the entire world. New Year’s Eve has been a longstanding tradition for this district. The famous ball dropping at midnight is viewed by not only millions of people in Times Square, but also by millions of viewers across the world. The first ball was dropped from 1 Times Square’s rooftop in 1907. Times Square commercial facets are vast and abundant. New trends appear in store-front windows as fast as the newest visitor to the block. A major shift in appearance occurred as a result of “Disneyfication” in the 1980s. The red light district was replaced with family-friendly attractions. The bright lights and chaos of Times Square reflect the atmosphere of New York City as a whole.
Washington Square Park
Photo by Ezra Zeitler
This historic park is located on West 4th Street and MacDougal. An elegant arch honoring George Washington welcomes you into the park, where you can find people playing chess, music or kids running through the fountain. The richness of culture found in the park can, in part, be attributed to its location. It is located in close proximity to Greenwich Village and New York University. Shops, restaurants and residential areas surround the park. The paths were created to attract people to use the park as a gathering place, but also as a route to their destination in the city. The rich history of the park includes prior uses as a cemetery, public gallows and even parade grounds. In the 1960s, controversy arose between park commissioners and residents in the area. Jane Jacobs, a prominent resident, fought against the park renovations that would allow traffic to maneuver around the park in order to preserves the parks seclusion from the city. The atmosphere of Washington Square Park would not be the same without the efforts of Jane Jacobs and other residents in the area.
30 Rockefeller Plaza
Photo by Ezra Zeitler
30 Rockefeller Plaza or “30 Rock” is best known as NBC’s headquarters. Due to its close proximity with Times Square, found 48th and 51st streets, 30 Rockefeller Plaza has become an iconic destination for tourists worldwide. Also known as “30 Rock,” many are drawn to the Plaza to view the Lower Plaza including the famous Rockefeller Place Ice Skating Rink and the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. As NBC’s main headquarter, tourists are drawn to numerous live shows including Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and the Dr. Oz Show. Similarly, the NBC Today Show provides fans opportunities to interact with the hosts and watch numerous concerts throughout the summer. The Plaza is also surrounded by numerous statues, arts, and a parade of 200 flagpoles carrying various flags throughout the year.
Cover Photo by Kelsey Dery