ARCHITECTURE PHOTO JOURNAL
MY MAP OF MIDTOWN
This map details the path that I took to get to each of the landmarks mentioned in this project (with the exception of Times Square). Starting off at Rockefeller Center, I went inside 30 Rockefeller Plaza and then to St. Patrick's Cathedral across the street. Then, I went to Times Square to see One Times Square. From Times Square, I went to Byrant Park and visited the lively winter village that was currently in session. After that, I went to the New York Public Library, which was right next to Bryant Park. Finally, I went to see the Empire State Building from afar to capture a good view of the building.
I. Rockefeller Center, 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
Now an internationally-renowned landmark, Rockefeller Center began its construction in 1931, on the 22-acre land leased to John D. Rockefeller Jr. To construct the complex's nineteen mixed-use buildings, Rockefeller hired a variety of architects from different firms to form what was known as the "Associated Architects." Leading this group of experienced architects, which included names like Wallace K. Harrison, Harvey Wiley Corbett, and firm Reinhard and Hofmeister, was Raymond Hood. Prior to taking on Rockefeller's project, Hood already had multiple famed skyscrapers in his résumé, including the Chicago Tribune Tower (1922) and the American Radiator Building (1924).
The complex was intended to cover three square blocks surrounded by Fifth Avenue, Sixth Avenue, and 48th and 51st Streets, and house multiple retail establishments, as well as the Metropolitan Opera. However, the opera soon withdrew and was replaced by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and by association, NBC. Hood's RCA Building, now known popularly as 30 Rockefeller Plaza and officially renamed as the Comcast Building, became the centerpiece of Rockefeller Center, standing in elegant limestone cladding at 850 feet above ground level. These attractions include Radio City Music Hall (1932), the Rainbow Room of 30 Rockefeller Plaza (1934), and The Rink At Rockefeller Center (1936).Attractions around the Center were unveiled and opened before its official completion on November 1, 1939. Its completion was the largest private building project of its time, having employed between 40,000 to 60,000 people.
Like many buildings of its time, Rockefeller Center has hints of golden Art Deco splattered amongst all of its buildings. Some of the most prominent pieces include Lee Lawrie's Wisdom (1933), his collaboration with Rene Paul Chambellan, Atlas (1937), and Prometheus (1934) by Paul Manship. In addition to Art Deco elements, the Center also tells figures and stories of Greek mythology, America, and global history on the exterior of many buildings.
II. St. Patrick's Cathedral, 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
St. Patrick’s Cathedral began its construction on the site of Saint John’s Church, which previously stood at the location, in 1858 when its first cornerstone was laid down. The architecture of the cathedral was commissioned to architect James Renwick, who is renowned for having designed the Smithsonian Institution Building (1847–1855) and Cavalry Church (1848), and was assisted by William Rodrigue in the cathedral’s design. While St. Patrick Cathedral’s construction began in 1858, it was temporarily halted due to the rise of the Civil War. Construction resumed in 1864, before the end of the war. The cathedral officially opened on May 25, 1879, and was greeted with a warm welcome to Manhattan.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is nothing less of Gothic Revival magnificence, with Renwick drawing heavy inspirations from the Gothic and Neoclassical architecture of Middle Age Europe. Rather than drawing from a single European source as his inspiration, Renwick took a look at the different designs of cathedrals from different areas. While the size of St. Patrick’s is much larger than English cathedrals, it matches the height of Westminster Abbey, and the silhouette of the building merges traditional cathedral elements from across Europe. Its design is primarily based on French cathedral plans (as seen in its shape and facade), but its vaulting draws from English styles and its twin spires on octagonal bases are reminiscent of Cologne and Regensberg.
III. Bryant Park, New York, NY 10018
Despite its modern popularity, Bryant Park was not always as lively as it is today. Today, it is known for summer movie nights, and winter village and ice rink. Known as Reservoir Square in the mid-1800s, it was originally built adjacent to the Croton Distributing Reservoir and it became home to the Crystal Palace and the Latting Observatory until both of their destructions in two separate fires. Eventually, in 1884, Reservoir Square was renamed to Bryant Park, in honor of William Cullen Bryant. Not long after, the New York Public Library began its construction next to Bryant Park, and it became a success after its opening in 1911.
However, compared to its sister landmark, Bryant Park was failing to attract many visitors, despite its multiple attempts at a revival. One of these revivals happened in 1934, when the park was redesigned into a formal French garden, which was slightly elevated above the sidewalk. Ultimately, the park was unable to regain its former glory and was declined into a state of crime. In the late 1900s, plans to revitalize and restore Bryant Park were brought to attention and this was when the modern Bryant Park comes onto the scene. The Bryant Park Restoration Corporation sought to build new entrances, improve paths, restore monuments and bathrooms, as well as add dining pavilions and kiosks. The park reopened in 1992 and gained much praise from those who visited, finally enhancing the neighborhood as it was intended to.
IV. New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018
Designed in a traditional Beaux-Arts style, reminiscent of European architecture, the New York Public Library was built adjacent to Bryant Park, which at the time of the library’s proposal was still known as Reservoir Square. The intention of the library’s design was to create a grand structure that would have a vast reading room sitting on top of seven floors of books. The building’s architects were decided through an open competition and it was won by the Carrère and Hastings firm. Their Beaux-Arts design was so grand that it was the largest structure built from marble that was attempted in the entire country. Its cornerstone was laid down in 1902 and its construction was completed in 1911, with every single book finally set in place. When the library finally opened, it was greeted with great enthusiasm since the first day. Over 30,000 went to visit the library on the first day alone.
Today, the library can immediately be recognized from its iconic pair of lion statues sitting along the staircase to the entrance. With inspiration from Beaux-Art architecture and classical architecture, especially its detail on the Corinthian capitals of the pillars and the statues on its frieze, the New York Public Library is undoubtedly the most eye-catching building on Fifth Avenue, as it was intended to be.
V. Empire State Building, 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018
The Empire State Building began its construction in the same year as the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and it was completed just thirteen months later in 1931. To say it was an ambitious project to undergo during its era was, to say the least. John Jacob Raskob and Pierre du Pont were the ones to fund a building of this scale during these times and despite the many urges against settling down on the opposite side of Wall Street, where the center of business was, they were determined to keep the location at 350 Fifth Avenue. The architecture firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon was chosen to design the building, and the contractors Starrett Brothers and Eken to construct the building.
The building, initially only planned to be 50 floors, was ultimately increased to 80 stories and had the intention of being a docking port for aircrafts, specifically Zeppelins, to tether at the top and let passengers off to enjoy the lavish amenities offered by the Empire State Building and its surroundings. Ultimately, this plan was unable to be fulfilled due to the unaccounted wind at that height and the dangers of aircraft crashes. The spire intended to be a tethering dock eventually became a signal transmitter for broadcast stations. Upon its completion, the Empire State Building was the world’s tallest building (which lasted until the completion of the Twin Towers in 1970), standing at 1,250 feet tall. During this period of time, especially with the Great Depression, the Empire State Building was seen as a beam of hope and a symbol of optimism for many New Yorkers.
Citations
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Burns, Ric, director. New York, 1919-1931: Cosmopolis.
“History of the New York Public Library.” The New York Public Library, www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/history.
Introduction to Art Concepts, SAC, ART100 | | Course Hero, www.coursehero.com/study-guides/sac-artappreciation/oer-1-27/.
“Rockefeller Center (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-1010/architecture-design/ny-skyscrapers-landmarks/a/rockefeller-center.
Kimmelman, Michael. “Rockefeller Center's Art Deco Marvel: A Virtual Tour.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 15 Apr. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/04/15/arts/design/rockefeller-center-virtual-tour-virus.html.
Sturges, Walter Knight. “Renwick, Rodrigue and the Architecture of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, N.Y.C.” U.S. Catholic Historian, vol. 1, no. 2, 1981, pp. 68–72. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25153646. Accessed 16 Nov. 2022.
TAURANAC, JOHN. “THE BUILDING.” The Empire State Building: The Making of a Landmark, Cornell University Press, 2014, pp. 15–29. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctt5hh19b.4. Accessed 16 Nov. 2022.
Weisman, Winston. “Who Designed Rockefeller Center?” Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, vol. 10, no. 1, 1951, pp. 11–17. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/987500. Accessed 16 Nov. 2022.