One of the most iconic aspects of New York City is its skyline. In the 21st century, this image is wrought with soaring skyscrapers and modern architecture. These features define the city as we know it, but in years past, sleek lines and high-tech innovations were mere whispers of the future. As it inevitably arrived, the future ushered in millions of different architectural styles and often, past ones were erased. Many buildings, however, remained and continue to stand until today. What makes Manhattan so unique, though, is that the buildings of the past stand right next to the buildings of a present, creating a visual representation of an ever changing society and world. What lies behind the facades is the history of New York culture and, ultimately, its change over the centuries.
Building by Jean Nouvel
Some of my favorite buildings, which happen to illustrate this narrative quite well, lie along the West-Side Highway. Iconic buildings that define a modern era, like the Jean Nouvel and Frank Ghery buildings, are mere blocks away from the decrepit warehouses once used during the height of the early 20th century. All around the city, there are little pockets that span entire eras. Moving between those pockets allows for a sort of passing through history. Looking at the plans, an art form in itself as they were drawn up by hand long before machinery, from the original Penn Station (because the actual building is no longer standing) and the photographs of the tenements on the Lower East Side were two completely different experiences. One was created when grandiose was celebrated in the Beaux-Arts styles, but as times changed, so did necessity. No longer were people looking for massive spaces of beauty and splendor, urbanization called for practicality, something that led to huge changes on the city scape. Looking at the architecture of today, clean lines and minimalist spaces are favored over the scrollwork and details of the past. Yet, this is today’s architecture, for as the city continues to change, the future will likely bring in a whole new realm of art in the cityscape.
Looking around at the different buildings around New York City creates a narrative of the past. Some aspects are things to be proud of: the majesty of the New York Public Library and innovations of museums like the Guggenheim. Yet, the architecture alludes to something beyond the facade and bright lights the world is accustomed to. Dilapidated housing and cramped living spaces sheds light on a time that darkens a seemingly glorious path. Has society failed to protect its people and instead, cast those looked down upon into dingy shadows? If the walls of New York City could talk, what would they say? Each an every person has the ability to see beyond the physical structures and truly look into the history behind the architectural styles of Manhattan. Each style and each building speaks volumes about an era, be it when it started, what influenced it, and why it came to an end. Ultimately, these buildings create a timeline so essential to the history of New York City and its development.
Grace Kassin
Grace, I really loved this post! I think your analysis of NYC’s architecture and how it has changed was very insightful and encompassed a lot of my feelings towards the changes itself. The idea of style versus practicality is one that makes me very indecisive; while we need to have building that are practical, the decorative architecture of the past is so much more pleasing to my eyes. While the minimalist style is still aesthetic, I have trouble completely abandoning the more ornate style reflected in the Penn station design. This debate will go on for centuries when a new form of architecture arises and boots out minimalism…so who knows what we will encounter next! Great blog!