NYC Area Dopers October 8th & 9th get together

[saramamalana]

This is driving me nuts!

[saramamalana]

Crap. Wrong thread.

[Draelin]

@saramamalana

Crap. Wrong thread.

But now I’m intrigued.

[Zebra]

Holy Cow! There are tons of places open to the public for tours.
Here is the full list.
Lets see there is

The Little Red Lighthouse

Sat:10am-1pm, last entry 12:45pm
Sun:10am-1pm, last entry 12:45pm
regular tours, max 15 at a time
architect: unknown, 1880
The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge was such a popular children’s book that fans campaigned to save the structure when it was threatened with demolition. Explore the lighthouse’s interior and take in the views of the George Washington Bridge and Hudson River.

The Arsenal

The castle-like headquarters of the NYC Parks Department bears military symbols around its entry that recall its martial origins, while WPA murals are featured in the lobby. The roof garden offers splendid views of the Central Park Zoo and Fifth Avenue.

The Art Deco Walking Tour

Sun:9:40am-12pm
walking tour 9:40am-noon, reserve in advance: 212.679.3326 opendialogue: Tour guide Fred Cookinham is a noted expert on Kahn’s architecture., max 25 at a time
architect: Ely Jacques Kahn
Architect, Ely Jacques Kahn (1884-1972) was instrumental in defining Art Deco style in Manhattan. Explore more than a dozen projects including Two Park Avenue, where Kahn practiced for 40 years. A post-tour lunch at Dewey’s Flatiron Restaurant is optional, 5th Avenue at 25th Street. Tour organized by the Art Deco Society of New York in cooperation with openhousenewyork.

The Carlton Hotel

Sun:tours at 12:30pm & 1:30pm
opendialogue: tours led by restoration architect Gregory Stanford; reserve in advance: 212.463.0334 or email jgoneconti@rockwellgroup.com, max 12 at a time
architect: Rockwell Group (renovation of three lower levels), 2005
services: access for wheelchairs, restrooms available, food/beverages
Elements of the original Beaux-Arts architecture have been restored in the redesign of the restaurant, lobby, bar, lounge, and exterior facade. In addition to the preservation of an antique revolving door, mosaic flooring and a Tiffany-style skylight, bronze handrails and antique mirrors maintain the tradition of this grand hotel, with contemporary counterpoints mixed in.

**
Cathedral of St John the Divine**

Sat:9am-5pm
Sun:9am-5pm
Gothic Gotham tour Sat at 10:30am, Highlight tour Sat at 11am & Sun at 1pm; limited access during morning services
architect: Heins & La Farge, 1892-1911; Cram & Ferguson, 1911-1942
services: access for wheelchairs, restrooms available
The world’s largest cathedral with Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance & Norman architecture. Over 150 stained glass windows highlighting human endeavors in the arts, education, medicine, sports, etc. A work in progress - towers and transepts are still unfinished - preservation is part of its mission.

Chelsea Market

The former Nabisco factory (where the Oreo was invented) has been transformed into an arcade of culinary and artistic delights. The design pays witty homage to the site’s industrial origins in its design, materials and collection of art and sculpture.

The Chrysler Building

opendialogue: Robert Klara, freelance historical writer and managing editor of Architecture magazine, will lead informal discussions at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm both days. , max 75 at a time
architect: Willaim Van Alen, 1930
services: access for wheelchairs, restrooms available
The world’s tallest building when completed 75 years ago soars more than a quarter mile high. It is considered one of the finest examples of the Art Deco style and was recently restored back to its original 1930s splendor. The intricately designed marble-and-steel lobby features one of the largest ceiling murals in the world: Edward Trumbull’s “Transport and Human Endeavor.” Organized by Tishman Speyer in cooperation with openhousenewyork.

Prince George Hotel

Sat from 10am-11am Interior Designer Jamie Drake will be onsite to discuss his work restoring the gallery and Neo- Renaissance ballroom inside one of Manhattan’s grand gathering spaces.
architect: Howard Greenly, 1904-1911; restoration Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners LLP, interior by Jamie Drake Design Associates, gallery by Parsons The New School for Design, design/build project, 2005
services: access for wheelchairs
Once one of midtown Manhattan’s grand gathering spaces, the newly-restored gallery and Neo-Renaissance Ballroom offer a glimpse into New York City’s past.

Elderidge St. Synagogue

Sun:11am-4pm, last entry 3:45pm
tours at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm; reserve in advance: 212.219.0888 x206, max 50 at a time
architect: Herter Brothers, 1887
services: restrooms available, bookshop/gift shop
Constructed in 1887, Eldridge Street Synagogue is among the first synagogues in America built by Eastern European Jews. Currently undergoing restoration, this National Historic Landmark is a combination of Moorish, Gothic & Romanesque styles and features stained-glass windows, murals and skylights.

**Ellis Island South Side **

For the first time, the public is invited to tour the grounds of the abandoned Ellis Island hospital where 1 million immigrants were treated between 1900-1954. Wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes. No children under age 16 will be permitted.

Governors Island

Sat:tours at 10am, 12pm & 2pm, last entry 2pm
Sun:tours at 10am, 12pm & 2pm, max 135, last entry 2pm
architect: various, 1800-1934
services: access for wheelchairs, restrooms available, bookshop/gift shop
Located in the heart of New York Harbor, this 92-acre island housed military installations from 1776-1996. The island is currently under study for redevelopment for public use and boasts spectacular views and several landmarks such as Fort Jay, a five-bastioned fort begun in the 1790s, Castle Williams completed in 1811, and Victorian architecture dating back to the turn of the 19th century.

Grand Central Terminal

Sat:10am-5pm, last entry 4pm
Sun:10am-5pm, last entry 4pm
tours every hour on the hour; opendialogue: Sat at 10am & 12pm architect Frank Prial of beyer Blinder Belle Architects will lead 90-minute tours exploring the issues and stories surrounding the preservation and restoration, reserve in advance: ohny@BBBarch.com, max 25 at a time
architect: Warren and Wetmore, Reed and Stern, 1913; renovated 1998
services: access for wheelchairs, restrooms available, food/beverages, bookshop/gift shop
Almost lost to the wrecking ball in the 1960s, Grand Central Hall was completely restored to its original splendor in 1998. Tours will reveal the Beaux-Arts terminal’s rich architectural details, history and secrets.

Grand Lodge of the Masons

Sat:10am-5pm
regular tours
architect: Bro. Harry Percy Knowles, 1910
services: restrooms available
The lavishly decorated rooms in this Freemasons meeting place reflect the organization’s colorful past. Murals, furniture and icons on display describe the history and mission of this ancient institution.

High Bridge Water Tower

Sat:11am-3pm, last entry 2:30pm
Sun:11am-3pm, last entry 2:30pm
architect: John B. Jervis, 1872
services: restrooms available
Once a water pressure equalizing structure, this romantic Neo-Gothic tower overlooks the Harlem River. Climb its winding iron stair-case to enjoy the panoramic vistas of Manhattan and the Bronx.
subway: 1 to 168th St.; C to 163rd St.

The High Line (future park)

Sat:11am-4pm
Sun:12pm-4pm
opendialogue: talks on Sat by historian Mary Habstritt at 12pm and co-founder, Robert Hammond at 2pm; talks on Sun by designers at 12pm and co-founder, Joshua David at 2pm, max 20 at a time
1930s
services: access for wheelchairs
Groundbreaking is scheduled for late 2005 to convert this disused, elevated rail line to public open space. View the line from the loft gallery of the Phillips, de Pury & Co. auction house. Organized by Friends of the High Line in cooperation with openhousenewyork.

Jefferson Market Branch Library Tower

regular tours, max 15 at a time
architect: Frederick Clarke Withers and Calvert Vaux, 1875-76
This exuberant Venetian Gothic design was originally built as a courthouse and converted into a library in the 1960s. Climb 149 steps to the top of the tower for 360-degree views of the West Village.

John J Harvey Fireboat

Sun:12pm-5pm
depart Pier 63 for Pier 40 at 12pm, 2pm & 4pm; depart Pier 40 for Pier 63 at 1pm, 3pm & 4:30pm, max 60 at a time
architect: Henry J. Gielow, Naval Architect, 1931
services: restrooms available, bookshop/gift shop
Come aboard the first large, modern fireboat in America. The heroic vessel is in near-original condition. See the deck, pilothouse, crew quarters, engine room and more.

And those are just some of the events in Manhattan!

The tours are on both Saturday and Sunday and it looks like most of them start on the hour or so. I like the warning for the Ellis Island South Side tour.

[Eve]

Ooooh, the Ellis Island one does sound cool! Which day is that, what time, and where to meet?

(I’ve actually done the hell out of most of the NYC sites already . . . used to work right near Grand Central and the Chrysler Building).

Why no historical Times Square tour? Hell, I could give that; I’m always leading people on my “What Used to Be There” tour of Times Square.

[Zebra]

Ellis Island does sound great. I’ve never been in the Chrysler Building. I wonder if they take you ‘backstage’ so to speak at Grand Central?

And the Fire Boat. I wonder if I can play with the fire hose?

[Little_Nemo]

Eve, there is a Times Square tour.

Another vote for Ellis Island.

I already tried to get a Governor’s Island group together so that’s a good one.

And it’s sounds like the last chance to see the High Line.

The Arsenal, Brooklyn Navy Yard, the Carlton, Chelsea Market, Floyd Bennett Field, Fort Tilden, the Library Tower, Pratt Institute, the Public Library, St John’s and Temple Emanu-El all sound interesting.

[lurkernomore]

<nitpick>

The world’s tallest building when completed 75 years ago soars more than a quarter mile high.

Um, no… It is a more stylish buuilding than most skyscrapers, but it is just short of a fifth.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/chrysler.html

The first quarter mile tall one was the late lamented Trade Towers.

But at least the Chrysler, while stylish, was not not risking being blown down by a 70 mph wind like the Citicorp center…

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/citicorp.html

[Little_Nemo]

Is there any plan yet on people meeting? At the minimum if people are going to the same destination we should try to arrange to all go on the same tour. Or if people are going on different tours, maybe arrange to meet for a meal.

[Zebra]

Well, many people have said they liked the Ellis Island tour.

50 Ellis Island’s South Side
Information Desk, Ellis Island Immigration Museum, Ellis Island
Sat:tours at 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm
Sun:ours at 9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm
reserve in advance for tours: 212.363.3200 x580; opendialogue: 1-hour talks on the Immigration Museum’s renovation by John Belle of Beyer Blinder Belle on Sat at 11am & 2pm, meet at the Information desk, reserve in advance: ohny@BBBarch.com, max 20 at a time
services: restrooms available, food/beverages, bookshop/gift shop
For the first time, the public is invited to tour the grounds of the abandoned Ellis Island hospital where 1 million immigrants were treated between 1900-1954. Wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes. No children under age 16 will be permitted.
subway: 4, 5 to Bowling Green; 1 to South Ferry; N, R to Whitehall St.
bus: M1, M6, M15
other transportation: Statue of Liberty Ferry from Battery Park, for ticket purchase information visit: www.circlelinedowntown.com/statueferry.html
www.nps.gov/stli
map

I would vote for Saturday for the 11:00 am and then we can have lunch afterwards. I’ll call and make the reservation but I need an number of people that would like to go.

[Little_Nemo]

Okay, count me in on the Saturday 11 am tour.

[saramamalana]

I’m in class on Saturdays until 3:15 but I’ll be sticking around to go to a friend’s party later that night. If you all are sticking around until the afternoon or doing something at night, perhaps I can drop in.

[saramamalana]

That is, I’m in class at Fordham, so sticking around = already being in the city. There we go.

[Zebra]

Email me and I’ll give you my cell number.