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Chelsea Arkin
CITY 306
Streetscapes Assignment
January 26, 2003
1. "Beekman Terrace: Why a Pioneer Co-op Has Touches of Venice - Years of replanting are restoring a neglected lower garden."
Christopher Gray
The New York Times
Sunday, June 28, 1998
Gray discussed the history of Beekman Terrace, which he described as the first luxury apartment house to discover the East River waterfront. During the mid 1920’s Joseph B. Thomas began to design a six story apartment house of Venetian design overlooking the water. His admiration of Fenway Court in Boston, which is now the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum largely colored his design for Beekman Terrace. At the time of its conception, the location was somewhat remote, offering great opportunity for beautiful landscaping and garden areas. However, over time only the main garden, located just off 51st street, continued to be maintained, while the lower garden has been largely ignored. In 1995, Michael and Paula Alvich began to explore the lower garden, which by then had become blocked. Since then, the Alviches have spent about 1600 hours clearing out the lower garden and replanting. The Alviches have brought new life into the garden and hope to soon start a roof garden.
I found this article interesting. I enjoyed reading about the questions Gray poses through this article about the possibilities of creating gardens in urban areas, offering residents a slight recess from the harsh realities of city life. I would have been intrigued to learn more about the residents of Beekman Terrace and how the creation of the garden has effected their lives in the city. For his research on this topic, Gray used the 1924 The Real Estate Record and Guide, and a 1924 edition of Arts and Decoration
2. "The 1800 Sherwood Studios, Once at 57th and Sixth: Building That Was 'the Uptown Headquarters of Art'- An apartment house for artists, it was demolished in the 60’s."
Christopher Gray
The New York Times
August 9, 1998
Gray discusses the history of the Sherwood Studios whose importance is just beginning to be recognized, largely due to Smith College Professor John Davis who just published the first study of its history in the Journal of the Archives of American Art. Sherwood Studios was first built in 1880 as the first apartment in New York City designed specifically for artists and their families. When it opened, Gray notes that the building was both the most advanced studio building and apartment house up to that time. In preparation for the study of this building, Professor Davis mined through collections of journals, diaries, and photographs at the Archives of American Art, a unit of the Smithsonian, in an effort to create a full picture of the life that took place in the Sherwood. The result is a complex vision of life in the apartment. Although great times took place involving the mingling of different artists, there were many problems associated with the general structure of the building in addition to economic problems and strict rules. Professor Davis observes, that although on the surface it was somewhat of a continual party atmosphere, "one can grow tired of a party every night," accounting for many of the building’s original residents moving out. By 1960, the building was demolished.
I enjoyed reading this article, as I am interested in the lives of artists, particularly during the "jazz age." It was interesting to read an account that did not only explore the positive aspects of the life of artists, but also mentioned the downfalls. Additionally, it is exciting that Professor Davis is exploring a topic that has never before been studied. Gray used Davis’s article for his research on this topic.
3. "19-25 St. Marks Place: The Eclectic Life of a Row of East Village Houses- Ritzy, the not so, it once glowed as the Electric Circus"
Christopher Gray
The New York Times
November 8, 1998
In this article, Gray explores the history of a row of East Village houses located on St. Marks Place, an extension of Eighth Street east of Third Avenue. Gray poses questions regarding the changes that can occur on one particular block over time. In the 1830's, the area existed as a ritzy enclave set apart from the city consisting of neo-Federal Houses. By 1850, the neighborhood began to take on what Gray describes as a somewhat institutional character due to the many boarding houses set up on the street. Soon, the area became a largely German quarter. By the 1920's the area became increasingly polish, housing many polish organizations and restaurants. In the 1950's, the area began to attract the Beat Generation, by 1967 housing the nightclub "Electric Circus" attracting many hippies, offering a space for many members of the counterculture. The area continued to remain progressive, although many residents are distressed by many urban problems in the area.
It was interesting to read this article and learn about the unique history of this particular street. It is rare that an area will undergo so many changes and will be passed through so many different hands. It would have also been interesting if the Gray had included more of a description of the present day St. Marks Place and how this relates to the rest of the eclectic history of the street. For his research Gray mentioned the use of articles in the Village Voice, as well as interviews with present resident.