As a certain unemployed hotel-chain heiress is known to say, "That's hot."
As a certain unemployed hotel-chain heiress is known to say, "That's hot."
Anyone know what is the plan for the revolving Cube sculpture that used to be in the traffic island N. of the Astor? Am hoping the island will be fixed up and the Cube returned -- if not it's a huge loss for that area.
Also, this is some idiot marketing person's description of the location from the Sotheby's website (TRIANGULAR???) :
http://www.sothebysrealty.com/splash...lash=manhattan
Astor Place
Location
Located on the last remaining triangular site in all of Manhattan, Astor Place, 445 Lafayette Street, occupies a pivotal corner
The Cube is undergoing extensive renovation, including a redesign of the base to eliminate water problems. The Cube will return to its place of honor.
Is this cube black?
Yes, the Cube is black:
Bernard (Tony) Rosenthal, (American, 1914 --), c. 1967, painted Cor-Ten steel, 15 feet high. The Cube rotates on its axis when given a gentle push..
Ah yes, I remember passing by it on the way to a Shakespearean play a few years ago. It was part of a high school english class requirement. I recall a lot of joking about the way our teacher described it: a big, black cube. I won't go in to further detail.
the Cube
My son and I walked here to "Push" the cube. We found notes posted where the cube had been. It is out for restoration and there was an address for donations. That was months ago. Has the cube been brought back?
A report in the crappy free news rag "am NewYork" reported today that the triangle the cube sits in will be expanded and streetspace around Astor place will be reclaimed for pedestrian use, creating more of a "park-like" setting.
The cube has been gone for a while now, since it stopped spinning probably.Originally Posted by BrooklynRider
That intersection is a mess though.
Was it a report? I remember reading that and thought it was merely a suggestion.
No, the DOT has designs set. I think it's supposed to be constructed soon.
That's good news. Astor Place has been a nexus of chaos for long enough. It has potential to be a miniature Union Square if some ground-plane's reclaimed from the car.
Most of the scaffolding has now come down around this building.
I take back anything negative I might have posted about this building in the past.
Viewing the building from the north, particularly walking south along the east side of 4th Avenue towards Astor Place, it looks terrific -- especially now that the clock and painting of the huge musical note on the wall of the Carl Fischer building has been restored. The juxtaposition of two forms creates a terrific visual energy.
Even the blue mirrored glass (which I previously derided) works well, especially when set off against the neutral color of the base.
The plaza at the south side of the site (still under construction) looks promising. Hopefully there will be public access -- or that it will become another great meeting place for the neighborhood (ala the outdoor area at the Starbucks which sits catty-corner across Astor Place). I do fear that the plaza will be walled off and available only to the residents of the building.
Last edited by lofter1; August 18th, 2005 at 04:08 PM.
I walked by yesterday as well. I say bravo. From the east side, the building as a stand alone looks beautiful with the plaza separating it from the neighboring structures. It's massing doesn't overpower the area and, instead, accents that Plaza very affectively.
Pictures taken 8/1/05: (sorry for the delay)
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