Ronald
Active Member
Where my forefathers bought the isle of Manhattan from the native Americans for a mere 60 guilders in 1614, possibly the worlds densest mass of urbanity stands today. It was here where the Dutch established a fur trading settlement called New Amsterdam. Then the darn British came in in 1664 and took this precious land from the Dutch. In walking through the city streets, I couldn't help but fantasizing about what would have become of this city if it would have stayed in Dutch hands... how awesome would it be to just speak Dutch in this most impressive city of the United States (IMHO). The only thing reflecting the Dutch heritage today is the street pattern in southern Manhattan (around Wall St) and the street names. Unfortunately, fire has destroyed the remains of the Dutch settlement in the early 1800s.
According to the University of Toronto's prominent architectural researcher, Charles Waldheim (a born and raised Floridian), this city has the most things going on (in terms of contemporary architecture) on the North American continent, along with (you guessed it) Toronto. Having been in 9 states and scores of cities across the US, I'd say that sounds just about right.
The days I spent in NYC concludes my prolonged sejour in the Americas. I have completed my senior year at the University of Florida and am now back in Rotterdam, The Netherlands where it seems the recession has done anything but slow down construction. The view from my bedroom window has changed significantly in one year... I'll post more pics of my North East US trip later (Brooklyn, Albany, Vermont). For now, enjoy these.
1. The weather on my day of arrival was nothing to write home about.
2. These were taken near City Hall.
3. South Manhattan Concrete Jungle.
4. Some coffee to warm up!
5. Such juxtapositions are everywhere in NYC.
6. Approaching Ground Zero
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13. Not a lot of people in Battery Park City due to the rain.
14. Jersey
15.
16.
17. Arguably, these pics aren't the best, due to the lousy weather.
18. From here on, only sunny pictures: endless concrete canyons.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23. Cooper Square
24. The new (barely finished) Cooper Union.
25. Cooper Square seems to be drenched in pomo buildings.
26.
27. The art supplies chain named after my Dutch college town.
28. I love streetscapes like this, such a stark contrast with the sunbelt states.
29. The national debt of the US?
30.
31. So this is that renowed academy that competes with USC for the next generation of grade-A American actors?
32. Sleek and tall, the NYC way to build
33.
34. The Flatiron, which inspired the design for the new tallest of The Hague
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40. This phenomenon occurs all over NYC: cars are banned from certain thoroughfares, creating delineated pedestrian-only zones... great idea from Ms. Sadik-Khan, the city's transportation commissioner, and much needed in a city without any prominent pedestrian-only public squares/ plaza's.
41.
42.
43.
44. "Like Manchester on steroids" - Darkstar
45. <3 the new pedestrianized version of Times Square.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53. Ran into this little hidden space near the MoMa.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58. Now for a quick walk through Olmsted's masterpiece.
59.
60.
fifty-one more pics in part two, which will bring brighter pics than the rainy ones at the beginning of this thread for sure.
According to the University of Toronto's prominent architectural researcher, Charles Waldheim (a born and raised Floridian), this city has the most things going on (in terms of contemporary architecture) on the North American continent, along with (you guessed it) Toronto. Having been in 9 states and scores of cities across the US, I'd say that sounds just about right.
The days I spent in NYC concludes my prolonged sejour in the Americas. I have completed my senior year at the University of Florida and am now back in Rotterdam, The Netherlands where it seems the recession has done anything but slow down construction. The view from my bedroom window has changed significantly in one year... I'll post more pics of my North East US trip later (Brooklyn, Albany, Vermont). For now, enjoy these.
1. The weather on my day of arrival was nothing to write home about.
2. These were taken near City Hall.
3. South Manhattan Concrete Jungle.
4. Some coffee to warm up!
5. Such juxtapositions are everywhere in NYC.
6. Approaching Ground Zero
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13. Not a lot of people in Battery Park City due to the rain.
14. Jersey
15.
16.
17. Arguably, these pics aren't the best, due to the lousy weather.
18. From here on, only sunny pictures: endless concrete canyons.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23. Cooper Square
24. The new (barely finished) Cooper Union.
25. Cooper Square seems to be drenched in pomo buildings.
26.
27. The art supplies chain named after my Dutch college town.
28. I love streetscapes like this, such a stark contrast with the sunbelt states.
29. The national debt of the US?
30.
31. So this is that renowed academy that competes with USC for the next generation of grade-A American actors?
32. Sleek and tall, the NYC way to build
33.
34. The Flatiron, which inspired the design for the new tallest of The Hague
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40. This phenomenon occurs all over NYC: cars are banned from certain thoroughfares, creating delineated pedestrian-only zones... great idea from Ms. Sadik-Khan, the city's transportation commissioner, and much needed in a city without any prominent pedestrian-only public squares/ plaza's.
41.
42.
43.
44. "Like Manchester on steroids" - Darkstar
45. <3 the new pedestrianized version of Times Square.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53. Ran into this little hidden space near the MoMa.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58. Now for a quick walk through Olmsted's masterpiece.
59.
60.
fifty-one more pics in part two, which will bring brighter pics than the rainy ones at the beginning of this thread for sure.
