es44c4:
“As far as New York City subway stations are concerned, the old City Hall station is clearly the “Jewel in the Crown”. The station was opened as in 1904 as the centerpiece of the new underground subway of the Interborough Rapid Transit System...

es44c4:

As far as New York City subway stations are concerned, the old City Hall station is clearly the “Jewel in the Crown”. The station was opened as in 1904 as the centerpiece of the new underground subway of the Interborough Rapid Transit System (IRT). City Hall’s architects were George Lewis Heins and Christopher Grant LaFarge. The names Heinz & LaFarge are synonymous with the iconic style known as the “City Beautiful” movement that was popular at the turn of the 20th century and can be seen in their other works such as the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and in other parts of the IRT where only a smattering of their work survives. Also working on the City Hall Station was noted engineer Raphael Guastavino (responsible for the tiled arches and vaults) and sculptor Gutzon Borglum (the man who would be responsible for Mount Rushmore). Despite its beautiful architecture, City Hall Station has been closed to passengers since 1945. One of the reasons for its premature decommissioning is illustrated in this photo - the sharply curved platform was not suitable to the new, longer fleet of subway cars being developed at that time. Fortunately, the station has been reasonably well preserved, including the beautiful Romanesque dome and arch structure as well as leaded glass skylights which are designed to allow natural light to stream from above.

(via RailPictures.Net Photo: New York City Transit None at New York, New York by Bruce Budris)

After many years, the old subway-level entrance to the Hotel Knickerbocker remains, sealed tight. What was on the other side? Now we know.

Atlas - Rockefeller Center on Flickr.
More here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanswift/sets/72157644245096550
Best coffee in NYC by subway stop, now including Brooklyn.

Best coffee in NYC by subway stop, now including Brooklyn.

ruckawriter:

nythroughthelens:

New York City - Grand Central - Private Tour

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I had the rare opportunity to get a private tour of Grand Central’s unusual and special spots and views today. I got to climb a ladder and explore the inside of Grand Central’s huge clock, traverse a hidden staircase, see the master control room, walk around with a hard-hat on in the secret underground station that hosted secret service agents and presidents. In short, I am not sure how much can top this rare New York City experience.

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Gallery Key (corresponds to the order of photos in the photo-set):

1. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor once we entered the super private glass catwalk that runs along the top floor of Grand Central. A few panes of glass were opened so that the best camera angles could be accessed and it was pretty much people-watching photography heaven for about 20 minutes. Having only ever admired Grand Central (for the most part) from the ground looking up, this view looking out and over the entirety of the main concourse is something I will never forget.

2. As far back as I can remember, I have wanted to go inside of the information booth that sits in the center of the main concourse. People who visit Grand Central or pass through daily know the information booth as the ornate booth that sits under the famous four-sided clock. It’s been my main meeting point in Grand Central whenever I meet people in the terminal and it’s been in countless television shows and movies throughout the years.

So you can just imagine how giddy I was that I got to go inside of the information booth today. Not only that but there was a pane of glass missing which was perfect to capture an unusual angle of the clock. I also got to go down the secret staircase in the middle of the information booth which led downstairs and fulfilled my early Nancy Drew-fueled dreams of traversing a secret staircase.

3.The center of Grand Central’s Information Booth also still has quite a few of the original travel advertisements pasted to the inner parts of the structure which was awesome to view. Nothing like gazing upon early 20th century travel ads for early to mid 20th century steamboat and steamship adventures.

4. A classic view overlooking Grand Central’s original light structures. I learned today that the reason that all of the light-bulbs are exposed on all of Grand Central’s chandeliers is due to the grand age of electricity. The Vanderbilt’s were extremely proud that Grand Central was one of the first all-electric powered buildings in the world and celebrated by honoring the light-bulb in all it’s exposed glory.

5. As if the day couldn’t get any better, I was treated to a view inside Grand Central’s clock tower which sits behind the massive Tiffany glass clock (the largest in the world). I happen to be extremely scared of heights which is a fear I am trying to get over. Today was definitely a milestone for me as I climbed the largest ladder I have ever climbed (major achievement) to get inside the clock tower. I am so happy I did! This is the view of Grand Central’s Tiffany Clock from inside the clock! One of the panes of glass opens allowing for some super unique views of the top of Grand Central.

6. And the view looking out towards Park Avenue South was pretty spectacular!

7. These are the massive gears and master controls looking towards the Tiffany glass of the clock from inside the clock.

8. Another view of the streets below as seen while hanging out of the Grand Central’s clock.

9. And if the clock tower and glass catwalks weren’t enough, I also got to see Grand Central’s abandoned Track 61 which I was always told was the stuff of urban legend. However, it turns out to be real! When President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in office, he utilized a secret train line that connected Grand Central to the Waldorf-Astoria. The area even has a huge freight elevator that was used to fit his limousine allowing FDR to travel to and from New York City in secrecy during World War II. This was the train he used which still sits on Track 61.

10. And finally, another view of the Main Concourse of Grand Central from high above. I can’t get enough of this view.

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I want to thank Grand Central for having me as a guest and giving me the grand tour and for my friend Lexi (check out his Instagram) who not only put this VIP tour together but helped me out in the clock tower! For news, cool events, and updates about Grand Central:

Grand Central

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View these photos and more of Grand Central Terminal’s unusual views (click on each photo in the set to enlarge):

Grand Central Terminal - Unique Views

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View: My portfolio, My Gear List, My Travel Blog, On G+,email me, or ask for help.

Beautiful collection of images.

Grand Central Terminal was my first real meeting with New York City when I arrived for college, a (somewhat) farm-town boy in the big city.

Loved it the moment I saw it.

Fête Paradiso on Flickr.
View the full set.

Fête Paradiso on Flickr.

View the full set.

Fête Paradiso on Flickr.
View the full set.

Fête Paradiso on Flickr.

View the full set.

Fête Paradiso on Flickr.
View the full set.

Fête Paradiso on Flickr.

View the full set.

Fête Paradiso on Flickr.
View the full set.

Fête Paradiso on Flickr.

View the full set.

Fête Paradiso on Flickr.
View the full set.

Fête Paradiso on Flickr.

View the full set.

Happy 100th GCT
“ October 1941. “Grand Central Terminal, New York City.” - Medium format negative by John Collier. FSA/Office of War Information archive.
”

Happy 100th GCT

via Shorpy:

October 1941. “Grand Central Terminal, New York City.” - Medium format negative by John Collier. FSA/Office of War Information archive.

life:
“ Stunning photographs of Penn Station in 1963 by legendary photographer Walker Evans.
”

life:

Stunning photographs of Penn Station in 1963 by legendary photographer Walker Evans.

thisistheverge:
“ Architecture photographer explains how he got that New York magazine cover shot
Poynter interviews architectural Iwan Baan on how he captured that stunning New York magazine cover.
“Baan made the image Wednesday night after the...

thisistheverge:

Architecture photographer explains how he got that New York magazine cover shot

Poynter interviews architectural Iwan Baan on how he captured that stunning New York magazine cover.

Baan made the image Wednesday night after the storm, using the new Canon 1D X with the new 24-70mm lens on full open aperture. The camera was set at 25,000 ISO, with a 1/40th of a second shutter speed.

“[It was] the kind of shot which was impossible to take before this camera was there,” Baan said.
The Park Slope Coffee Shop Matrix: Freelancers vs. Babies