Buildings Archives - Page 308 of 327

New York Times Building Under Construction

November 24, 2016June 2, 2014 by Derek Strahan

The Times Square Building as it appeared during its construction, around 1904. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

The building in 2014:

As mentioned in this post, the New York Times Building is literally a shell of its former self. Because of its narrow dimensions, it is more profitable to rent out the outside of the billboards, than to rent out the interior for offices. Today, only the ground floor is used; as of 2014, it was the home to a Walgreens. It looks completely different from the 1904 photo; it wasn’t even completed, and it still easily towered over its surroundings at Times Square. Both the building and the square were named after the New York Times, and although the paper moved to a new location in 1913, the name stuck.

Metropolitan Opera House, New York City

November 24, 2016June 2, 2014 by Derek Strahan

The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, around 1905. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

The scene in 2014:

Located diagonally across from the Casino Theatre, the Metropolitan Opera House was opened in 1883, along Broadway between 39th and 40th Streets. It closed in 1966, and was replaced by the current office building. Notice the New York Times Building a few blocks away – it’s still there, but is completely overshadowed by the buildings around it, as well as by its own billboards, which cover almost the entire facade.

Casino Theatre, New York City (2)

November 3, 2016June 1, 2014 by Derek Strahan

The Casino Theatre in New York City, around 1900. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

The scene in 2014:

A view of the Casino Theatre looking south from across 39th Street and Broadway. The theater was completed in 1882, but was closed and demolished in 1930 as the theater district moved its way north along Broadway. At the time of this photo, the theater was playing “The Belle of Bohemia,” and the round sign on the corner of the building advertises that all seats for Wednesday matinees cost 50 cents.

Casino Theatre, New York City (1)

November 3, 2016June 1, 2014 by Derek Strahan

A group of people waiting outside the Casino Theatre for matinee tickets, between 1900 and 1910. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

The same location in 2014:

Located at the corner of Broadway and West 39th Street, the Casino Theatre was built in 1882 and demolished in 1930. It was home to a number of plays and musicals, but over time the Broadway theater district drifted northward, and the Garment District expanded into this area, leading to its 1930 closure. In this photo, a group of people wait outside for matinee tickets on a Saturday.

Seeing New York City, at the Flatiron Building

November 3, 2016May 30, 2014 by Derek Strahan

New York tours at the Flatiron Building, around 1904. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

The same scene in 2014:

New York City sightseeing tours are nothing new, although the vehicles in the 1904 photo hardly resemble the tour buses that now roam the streets of New York. Taken along the Fifth Avenue side of the Flatiron Building, the 1904 vehicles advertise that tours start at the “Flat Iron Building,” even though the sign above the door of the building is marked with its then-official name, the Fuller Building. The vehicles also state “Telephone Connection,” which I presume means that the tour offices have a telephone. One would think that the number would also be provided, though, but perhaps back then all one needed to do was tell the operator to connect them with “Seeing New York.” The tour buses also look incredibly dangerous – there are no seat belts or other safety equipment, and it’s a long way down if anyone falls off. I don’t know what eventually became of the company, but the Flatiron Building is still there, as is the other building visible to the right.

Metropolitan Life Insurance Building, New York City

November 3, 2016May 30, 2014 by Derek Strahan

The view of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Building, looking east on 23rd Street in New York City, in 1900. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

The same view in 2014:

Prior to the construction of the tower, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company was headquartered in the 11-story building at the corner of Madison Avenue and 23rd Street. It was built in 1893, and appears to dominate over its surroundings. However, as seen here, it was soon dwarfed by the tower when it was completed in 1909. It was demolished in the 1950s and replaced with the current, nondescript concrete and glass structure at the same location.

As an interesting historical note, the building in the 1900 photo has a banner on it that reads “Headquarters Republican National Committee,” and a huge banner over 23rd Street to promote the candidacy of William McKinley for president and Theodore Roosevelt for vice president. They would go on to win the election in the fall, and a year later Roosevelt became president after McKinley’s assassination.