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Glass-plating the Coliseum

1775 Broadway, formerly the home of Coliseum Books (which I believe got its name from the splendid columns ringing the first two floors, as well as from the nearby now-demolished New York Coliseum), is to be glass-plated and re-addressed as “3 Columbus Circle”. As John Massengale commented, “Because if there’s anything New York City needs it’s another glass-covered office building…”.

Published at 9:41 am on Wednesday 7 May 2008. Categories: Architecture New York Tags: , , .
Comments

Horrors! You would have thought any sensible person would prefer wonderful old brick to glass cladding any day. I rather like glass if it’s doing something interesting (the Gherkin perhaps) but there are far too many featureless mirrors reflecting nothing but more featureless mirrors.
Meanwhile, in its original form 1775 reminds me of all the glamour of the 30s and 50s. It is a great pity that people won’t remember that just because something is modern only means it is in fashion and not that it is good.

— Katy Pilley 7 May 2008 7:35 pm

When I was in New York a few weeks back I got to see what they are doing. Unfortunately they are jackhammering all of the decorative terra cotta off (ionic capitals, etc), so in a couple of decades when someone wants to restore tha facade, they won’t be able. I thought arrogant developers stopped doing this decades ago; I guess not in New York. And with the City fathers in the pockets of the developers….

— Abtexusa 14 Sep 2008 10:27 pm
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