Although the New York Times finally covered the aftermath of the Corn Exchange Building today, they decided not to detail the interest in the building during the boom years and how personal interest prevented the landmark to get the restoration it was due. Specifically, the article really glossed over the fact that developers had lined up to make offers to restore this building and that a plan was in place by Danois Architects. There's one archival photo that we haven't seen before, so it's worth checking out the slide show: LINK. See the original plans to restore the building in our past post: LINK
Friday, March 19, 2010
☞ READ: Corn Exchange Building in the NY Times
Although the New York Times finally covered the aftermath of the Corn Exchange Building today, they decided not to detail the interest in the building during the boom years and how personal interest prevented the landmark to get the restoration it was due. Specifically, the article really glossed over the fact that developers had lined up to make offers to restore this building and that a plan was in place by Danois Architects. There's one archival photo that we haven't seen before, so it's worth checking out the slide show: LINK. See the original plans to restore the building in our past post: LINK
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I'm most interested in the fact that it looks from the first picture in the Times slideshow that Park Avenue was lined with businesses between 125th and 126th. Park Ave in this area is really an oddity in that it appears to have been much more of a commercial strip in the past than it is today. I'd wonder if there was a zoning change or some other reason that encouraged all the parking lots and auto-oriented businesses to replace retail over time. Is it just that at some point it was thought that businesses didn't want to locate in the shadow of the el? Even the large institutional uses like North General put surface parking and open fields facing Park Ave where it's evident that this was once a more active commercial street.
ReplyDeleteLiving by the ell was probably not desirable but the trains brought in business so retail would have been prevalent along these streets. There are car dealerships and open lots because owners neglected their properties in the bad old years and they burned down or fell apart. Case in point with the Corn Exchange.
ReplyDeletethis is an area where harlems revival has forgotten. the area is filthy, with people loitering, talking about their rehab stints. i try to avoid that area, going to that pathmark is the worst, its so depressing. that is an area, from lexington 125th to madison that needs a make over. anyone getting off at that metro north stop or going to the 4-5-6 line would think harlem of today is the same from the drug filled streets of teh 80s.
ReplyDeleteif they would have restored this building, the whole east side of 125th would have started to change big time.
ReplyDeleteThat part has begun to change. The Chase Bank, the Raymour Flanigan store, the Famiglia pizzeria. On Madison and 125th Wild Olive Market is opening. Island Salad has opened. In a couple of years, Harlem Park will probably come back in the picture on Park and 125th. People have to be more realistic. These things won't happen overnight.
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