Thoughts on NYC

Bryant Park! My half day NYC journey began when I emerged from the Bryant Park subway station. What a remarkable park! So green, so relaxing, immediately next to the NYPL, and surrounded by a few wonderful buildings.

One of those buildings is the Bryant Park Hotel. Wow! Its charcoal exterior with the golden accents is absolutely remarkable. Very striking against the sky.

You can also see both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building from around the park, making this one of my new fave NYC spots.


Another bulding just surrounding the park is the W.R. Grace building. It's really a wonder to look at, with its curved lower levels.

So it's on to the United Nations along 42nd street, where the are a few buildings of note, the first of which is the Chrysler Building. I'd seen it before from afar, but never from so near. Amazing! A couple of other buildings really stood out to me: the Channin Building (which I can't find a photo of - none of these photos are mine, my camera crapped out on me), and the News Building.

It's awesomeness is difficult to capture in a photo, but this was the only one I found that captures some of that, albeit blurry.

Further along there's a stairway, leading to Tudor City Place.

This is what most of the buildings in the area look like, and it's a very cool, isolated spot overlooking the UN. There were plans to develop the area in the late 80s - early 90s, but the area was preserved, and now there's a gorgeous small park that could possibly be the most peaceful place to be in Manhattan.

Coming up: Part 2, the United Nations...and beyond.

Another area closing

A more familiar sight than the JUC just closed up shop, according to the Metro this morning - Harvard Square's Greenhouse officially closed yesterday (without prior warning, I think). The owner died, and I guess that spells the end of the place. I was never a regular, but I went occassionally with friends to drink copious amounts of coffee, and to eat cake and greasy food. It was a great spot, and a familiar Harvard Square sight. The property manager says that there are a few "exciting options" for the space...I recall that the same thing was said about the Virgin Records spot, and now we have the impending arrival of Best Buy. I'll reserve judgement, though, you never know.

Also, the Fresh Pond "99" is closing. What's next, Ma Magoo's?

Jesuit Urban Center to close

Years and years ago I went to a Christmas mass at this place with my parents. It's a beautiful church, and I'm a big fan of the Jesuits, so it's tough for me to see that it has to be sold. I hope the parishioners can find an alternative decent church to go to, and that whoever buys the place keeps it in good shape.

Jesuits Say They'll Close Boston Urban Center, Boston Globe, April 16