☞ ARCHITECTURE: P.S. 72

One of the most colorful 19th century public schools still in use can be found at 1680 Lexington Avenue in lower East Harlem. P.S. 72 looks as brand new as the day it was finished, and its pristine red brick is complemented by striking windows and ironwork on the roof, which are all painted in a light, aged copper green color. This neo-Grec style building was completed in 1882 and is an official New York City landmark as of 1996. It's also interesting to think that, even though the building was constructed for the poor immigrants that started moving to East Harlem, the city still spent some money on its design and appearance. To get to this distinct section of East Harlem, take the 6 train to 103rd Street and walk to 105th Street. Top photo by Ulysses. Lower photo courtesy of NYPL.