Travel Photo Thursday – Old and New New York

Posted on by Marcia Mayne
Old and New New York

One of the newest hotels in New York, the Hyatt 48Lex, will open in August.

The old building, which housed a camera store, a deli and an antiques shop, was demolished around 2005 or 2006. I was curious to see what would take its place.

Once the scaffolding was removed, I was surprised a thoroughly modern structure which is a lovely counterpoint to the building next to it.

Several gargoyles adorn the older building, also a hotel. I wonder where the water that they normally channel will go. I guess it’ll roll off the glass siding of the Hyatt.

I’ll definitely take a closer look when it opens.

 

40 comments on “Travel Photo Thursday – Old and New New York”

  3. Those two buildings are standing next to each other? What a contrasting image. Did you hear about those two ladies that fell out of the W Hotel this year in Atlanta? I think it was during the spring. I guess because it happened here, when I see a glass building, a hotel in particular, this is what I think of. But it seems there were some faulty mishaps going on. So unfortunate. Two young and beautiful sisters. One of them didn’t make it.

    Anyway, New York is such a mecca for travel. Thanks for sharing.

  8. Isn’t it? I’m always torn between the two. I love the old stuff — feel like I was born in the wrong decade — but also love some of the new.
    Thanks for visiting, Debbie!

  11. I live in New York and I’m an architect… I completely love this city for it’s great architectural styles and contrasts. Here you can see great modern buildings and classic buildings interacting with each other as if they were designed in the same era.

  12. I agree with you, Norbert.
    I have my little digital camera with me all the time these days because I’m noticing so many interesting designs both modern and classical — it’s really fascinating to see the blend of the old and new and how well they play together.
    I’m fascinated by the craftsmanship and intricate details of the new. There’s a warmth in this old building that is probably better appreciated now that it’s next to the clean and very spare lines of the new hotel. I haven’t been inside to see how or if the interior design matches the spareness of the outside.
    Thanks for the visit and the comment,
    Marcia

  13. Hi Marcia

    We have a tv show here called MasterChef. A whole bunch of amateur cooks cook it out until there’s only one standing. http://www.masterchef.com.au

    Anyway, they visited New York in last week’s episodes. It was great! Astoria, Harlem, Times Square, and a whole bunch of places that I’ve forgotten the name of. They visited the top restaurants and cafes. One was Sylvia’s which is known for its soul food. Such an interesting city. Even my husband, who has no interest in visiting America was impressed.

    Not too sure if I could eat one of those Ruben sandwiches though – one of those would feed our whole family!

  14. Hi Narelle,
    We have something similar here, a couple of them, I think. Sylvia’s is about a 5 minute walk from me.
    Yes, we are known for our huge portions. Sometimes enough for two or more meals.
    New York is very interesting. Sometimes, I think back to my impressions of the city after I moved here. The energy is definitely different. Everything moves at what seems like lightening speed and right away I noticed the emphasis on consumption. You see it everywhere.

  15. Sylvia’s is a 5 minute walk – I would have waved if I’d known.

    It would be an interesting place to visit for sure. Couldn’t live there though – the population of Australia crammed into one city is too much for me.

    We have a China Town section in Sydney. We think it’s so busy, people and cars and restaurants everywhere. One day when we were there, we heard some German tourists wonder aloud where all the people were.

    When MasterChef went to Times Square, I could not believe the number of people there, and in the night time too. What is there that attracts so many people?

    Central Park looked lovely.

  16. Yes, it is crowded, very crowded. When I first moved here I couldn’t get over how crowded it was. I still haven’t gotten used to it, especially in midtown. One of my friends from Toronto told me that on his first business trip to NYC, he walked out of his building and nearly got run over by the crowd. He said it was like a herd, he had to step back inside. It can be a bit intimidating, especially at rush hour.
    Chinatown here is very crazy. It’s located in Lower Manhattan which is a small area with narrow streets that always seem choked with people and cars. I never go there on a Friday night or Saturday after midday. It’s got restaurants, vegetable markets, supermarkets, fishmongers, perfume and DVD stores that are little openings no wider than a door but deep.
    Central Park is very lovely — 250 acres of green, ponds, a zoo, skating rink, running track, etc. I used to run there almost every weekend. It’s a nice was to escape.
    Marcia

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  19. I don’t know how two buildings right next to each other could be more different.

  20. Aren’t they? There are a few more examples of that here but I’ve noticed that the majority of the newer buildings are all glass.
    Thanks for visiting,
    Marcia

  21. Very nice! Marcia, I really appreciate shots like that. I’ve got some from Chicago that show the old Carbide and Carbon Building next to Trump Tower — love to see how old and new work together (or not). I think the buildings in your photo are great complements to each other.

  22. I’d love to see that. We have quite a few of that here in NYC. I don’t always agree with the juxtaposition — I’m kinda partial to the old buildings myself.
    Thanks for the visit.

  25. I used to like modern buildings…but…these all glass structures nowadays look all the same and frankly, they look soul-less 🙁

  26. I don’t like them either. They all look the same – glorified boxes of dark glass, with no character, no warmth. I shudder to think of what would have happened if last week’s earthquake had been stronger. All that flying glass.
    Thanks for the visit.

  28. It sure is, Cheryl. I see it more and more now – old buildings right next to the new ones. And all the new ones have the same look – all glass.
    Thanks for cisiting.

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  33. What a beautiful example of a perfect contrast! Mad me think about the old times and the modern technology demolishing it! Honestly, I prefer the old one!

  35. Its like we are destroying are valuable culture for a world over monotony of an architecture that would make the whole world look alike! Where ever you go you’ll see skyscrapers with glass windows and stuff! I love the cultural diversity of the world around us!

  36. I don’t like these glass buildings, they all look the same. I’m not sure when the trend started. it’s probably still popular because it’s cheaper and involve less craftsmanship than the old buildings. Give me an old building any day.

  37. You are right! The craftsmanship and how they used to pay attention to very little detail in a building is long gone! Hey have you ever visited Pakistan, India or any other Asian country?

  38. No, Naxysch, I haven’t, but I’d like to. India has always been on my list. I’m also fascinated by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. My friends and I want to visit Thailand next year. There are so many places I want to visit, I think I need to start buying the lottery!

  39. If you are interested in cultural diversity and heritage, you must visit here! It is so rich and full of colors! I am a Pakistani basically and I have a keen interest in cultures of different nations but sad can not travel a lot! I haven’t traveled too much within Pakistan! We have 5 provinces of which I have visited only 3!

  40. I love to travel and experience other cultures. I can just imagine how beautiful Pakistan is. It is a huge country, I know, and very diverse. I’ll definitely have to visit.

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