Fish House, Exterior, 1150 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York, New York

Horace Ginsbern designed this apartment in 1936.  It is one of the most unique buildings in New York.  The glass-tile mosaic artist is unknown.

two Angel Fish...

 

....approach sea anemone

1150 Grand Concourse

 

Fish House, Interior, 1150 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York, New York

terrazzo floor

painted chevrons grace elevator doors

frosted-glass partitions

Andrea's Restaurant, 165th St., Bronx, New York, New York

This hole-in-the-wall food stall sells Dominican fare.  This is typical of the lower Grand Concourse as the boulevard is 100% residential.  For retail, it is necessary to drop down a block or two.

 

 

 

Bronx Museum of the Arts, Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York, New York

1040 Grand Concourse (2006)
Arquitectonica designed this expansion

 This museum uses a high level of curatorial skill to bring in international artists.

it began in the lobby of the Bronx County Courthouse.

 

Huma Bhabha (b. Karachi)
She is acclaimed for sculptural work using cast-off materials.

Paulo Bruscky worked as a civil servant in a Recife hospital.  His interest in medical equipment has allowed him to poeticaally explore the relationship though body and machine.

Andrew Freedman Home, 1025 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York, New York

This amazing urban archeology is a limestone palace inspired by the Palazzo Farnese in Rome.  Freedman was a real estate mogul who built an ex-rich man's poorhouse.  He owned the New York Giants baseball team, who played at the Polo Grounds on 155th St. at Edgecomb Ave.  He is considered Father of the NY Subway.  Freedman hired Lucien Alavoine et Cie, the most prestigious decorating firm in the world.  It was a retirement home for the poor who were once rich.  A retired czarist general was once a guest.

Andrew Freedman Home (1924)
Joseph Freedlander and Harry Jacobs

General Post Office, Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York, New York

558 Grand Concourse
Thomas Ellett, architect (1937)

 

Ben Shahn WPA mural

Ben Shahn murals

 

Cardinal Hayes HS was said to be what made the Grand Concourse grand.  Martin Scorcese, Regis Philbin, George Carlin, and Don De Lillo were graduates.

 

PS31 (1899), 425 Grand Concourse
CBJ Snyder
collegiate gothic style
Flemish gables, turrets, mullioned windows
 

 

Bronx County Courthouse, Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York, New York

Lorelei Fountain (south side Joyce Kilmer Park)

Fountain honors the author of "Die Lorelei," Heinrich Heine (German Jew).  Lorelei was a Rhine maiden who lured sailors to their deaths with her irresistible singing.  It was a gift to city of Dusseldorf, the poet's birthplace, from Empress Elizabeth of Austria, but rejected.  NY Germans presented it to the City in 1893 for Grand Army Plaza, again rejected.  Found its present home in 1899. 

Lorelei Fountain (1899)
Ernst Herter, sculptor

former Concourse Plaza Hotel

The Bronx County Building is an enormous limestone structure in the Art Moderne style. It was built in 1933 by the architects Joseph Freedlander and Max Hausle in collaboration with the artists Adolph A. Weinman (1870-1952) who designed the rectangular block sculptures at the entrances to the building, and Charles Keck (1875-1951) who designed the friezes. The Art Deco design of the building reflects the architecture of many of the buildings along the Grand Concourse. The project was sponsored by the Works Progress Administration.

The tall rectangular block sculptures by Adolph A. Weinman are largely allegorical, paying homage to the history of government by law through the ages, beginning with Egypt, Greece, and Rome. They were created with the assistance of collaborators George H. Snowden, Joseph Kiselewski, and Edward F. Sanford, among others. The friezes which run along each façade on either side of simple ionic styled columns are by Charles Keck. As with the Weinman sculptures in the round, Keck's friezes also refer to classical, biblical and symbolic themes including the west façade frieze depicting the Civil War surrender of General Lee to General Grant, revolutionary pipers in uniform; images of a young, growing and working America; as well as an allusion to slavery.

Joseph Freedlander and Max Hausle, architects

 

Waterfront Crab House, Long Island City, Queens, New York, New York

This area used to be at the terrminus of the LIRR, until tunnels were built to Penn. Sta. in 1910 and the Queensboro Bridge completed in 1909.  Miller's Hotel was the local watering hole.  Anthony Mazzarella purchased the property in 1975, his restaurant still stands.  It is a hoarder's paradise with memorabilia everywhere, including an autographed photo from Joe Dimaggio.  Movie stars include Dustin Hoffman and Paul Newman, courtesy of nearby Astoria studios.

 

 

Joe Dimaggio

 

Gantry Plaza State Park, Long Island City, Queens, New York, New York

backside (unlit) of Pepsi Cola sign looms

Restored Pepsi-Cola sign used to be on roof of Pepsi bottling plant (Pepsi refused to sell 60x200 ft sign lot).
It is now revered as a colossal work of Pop Art.
The sign's geometry impacted the Arquitectonica building behind (8th floor cantilever).

remnants of rail & ties

East River Water Taxi