DNAinfo had a feature yesterday on the New Corn Exchange Building renderings revealed by Danois Architects. As most may know by now, the official New York City Landmark was in such disrepair that the top floors were demolished and the 2-story base of the building now only remains today on 125th Street and Park Avenue. Danois Architect originally was selected for the failed restoration project several years back and comparing the original rendering to the new sketch (top left to right), the only thing that really has changed is that the prominent oriel windows (the dimensional vertical green copper windows on either side of the front facade) no longer exist. The mansard roof, bay windows at top and even the chimney details will still remain as originally designed. Most of the Queen Anne and Romanesque aesthetic will be restored to this buildings which should add some character to the 125th Street corridor. Read more in DNAinfo:
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GREAT News !! It is so important that the history be preserved ! It is wonderful sign !!
ReplyDeleteGood to see they are staying faithful to the old building and as the architect stated, it will look much the same from a distance. However the most important view is from street level. Disappointing that the oriels have been left out, modern buildings almost always have flat facades devoid of features, the original Corn Exchange had three dimensional façade with its magnificent multi floor oriels. Good to see the chimney features will be recreated as the strong vertical lines where a signature of the old Corn Exchange.
ReplyDeletelet the inside story on the corn bank building be told. many yars ago when the city became the owner the cityasumed the legal responsibilty of protecting the asset on behalf of all the citizens of new york.at that time harlem was in shambels the property became landmarked the asb estos problem made it unsaleable. the city refused to properly seal the building so as to keep out the bad element. some dozen years ago the squatters set fire to the building; theupper two stories were demolisher. the building was againsealed bud the roof was left wide open. the building was now ahuge bucket. it collected lots of water but the building WOULD NOT FALL. then one nite a brick finally came lose an emergency demolition was issued, and the LPC allowed the demolition of the upper flors so long as the lower two floors were savced. the hacks squeeked by again; it was only all the taxpayers who got shafted by the mis management of the city held assets
ReplyDeleteI remember for the longest time the missing roof and upper floors, for several years it was owned by “community activist” Ethel Bates with her fantasy culinary school. Ethel Bates first order of business should have been placing some temporary roof to put a lid on the huge bucket that would have saved the remaining structure. For many years Harlemites passed by this building hoping for some improvement, their wait was eventually rewarded by the demolition due to the last round of neglect.
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