Look around you, look up here.
One of nicest things about working way down town where the East River meets the Hudson is not only the spectacular views from 42 floors up, but also the architectural eye candy all around us.
Room with a View
Working day in and day out in the oldest part of the city, I get to enjoy the large variety of architecture surrounding us here in the financial district — from one of the first buildings built in the area (St. Fraunces’ Tavern built by Stephen De Lancey as a family home in 1719 and transformed into a tavern in 1762), to one of the most recent, the World Trade Center. (Fun fact, the oldest public building in continuous use is St. Paul’s Chapel built in 1764, a few blocks from St. Fraunces’ Tavern. George Washington stepped foot in both!)
Yes, times have changed.
Not to take anything away from the modern glass behemoths in this neighborhood, I find myself more entertained by the older buildings and the detailing once undertaken by the craftsmen of yesteryear.
Whether it’s a small carved detail in the façade, a sculptural time telling piece (known as a clock), or a fancy schmancy entrance, there is so much to notice and admire if you take your eyes off your phone and gaze up.
On a few of my lunch time strolls, I captured some of my favorite details. And if you are wondering why I did not include the addresses, well…you just have to head downtown and find them yourself!
Enjoy the show!
