By Kit Dillon 10/05/12 1:53pm

Making History

Take the ferry to the army... terminal. (NY Waterway)

Oh Yes! Free Ferry Service From Wall Street to Brooklyn Army Terminal for OHNY

For an event that’s already starting to feel like an elaborate first date, Open House New York has now gotten mom and dad to agree to let it use the car for the night. The annual architecture touring bonanza has secured free ferry rides at the last minute from New York Waterway that will provide service between Pier 11 on Wall Street and the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park. The terminal, typically dedicated to industrial work, will be open all weekend for guests to peruse. Read More

By Kit Dillon 10/04/12 1:52pm

Making History

Ms. Sullivan, supporting the cause. (PMcM)

Open House New York: A Decade of Showcasing New York’s Secret Spaces

It’s that time of year again when New York flings open its too-often locked and double barred doors for the 10th annual Open House New York (OHNY) weekend. The event promises unprecedented access to the cities myriad of architectural, cultural and historical gems. From the spectacular—The Grand Masons Lodge, which is participating with the event again this year at its historic 23rd street location—to the austere—the Brooklyn Army Terminal, an imposing 5 million square-foot site of criss-crossed steel and exposed concrete—to the just plain obscure and whimsical—come explore the lost streams of New York, which can be observed, using a flashlight, through the ventilation holes of old manhole covers, but normally that’s about it.

It’s a wonderland, this city. Read More

By Matt Chaban 5/31/12 7:30pm

Dizzying Designs

wpid-2012-05-30-22.00.41.jpg

Pier 15 Is for Lovers: SHoP Reshapes the East River Waterfront

That’s what Gregg Pasquarelli, the SHoP principal told us last night, at a party on the pier, part ribbon cutting (even though the thing opened last fall) part book launch (even though that came out three months ago). Really, this is one of the hottest firms in town, so whenever an opportunity presents itself to drink and party, it is taken.

As The Observer was leaving, Mr. Pasquarelli grabbed our arm and pointed out to the FDR, the underside of which glowed a faint purple.

“You’ve got to take your wife out there, I promise she’s going to kiss you,” he said. “It happens to everyone.” Read More

By Matt Chaban 10/10/11 9:32am

Making History

Welcome aboard, ladies and gentlemen.

Take Off for the TWA Terminal This Weekend at Open House New York

A great deal of attention has been paid lately to vintage JFK. Thanks to that lovely show Pan Am, we got a glimpse of what Terminal 3 looked like in its glory days, rather than the leaking mess it had become in recent years. It was recently torn down so Delta, which is expanding Terminal 4, could have more space to park planes—no, not a new terminal, just a bare strip of tarmac, a glorified plane parking lot. (Maybe with the airport so congested, that’s for the best. Another terminal would mean more planes everyday, wouldn’t it?)

Then there is the still stately Terminal 6, JetBlue’s home before it took over the new Terminal 5 encircling Eero Saarinen’s revered TWA Terminal. Terminal 6 is also coming down, a soaring glass pane and concrete strut at a time. There has been much handwringing over this of late, thanks in no small part to the appearance of Christina Ricci in a blue stewardess’ garb, but as is often the case with old buildings, it is too little, too late. And we don’t even yet know what is replacing the thing.

That leaves us with the TWA Terminal and the TWA Terminal alone. Read More