Just off Fifth: Butterfield House

A discreet presence on West 12th Street, Butterfield House has long been celebrated as one of the city’s great postwar apartment buildings. Designed in 1962 by William J. Conklin and James S. Rossant of the architectural firm of Mayer, Whittlesey & Glass, the building consists of two separately conceived structures, a small 4-bay 7-story façade… Continue reading

74 Fifth Avenue

A 1910 work by the firm of Maynicke & Franke, 74 Fifth Avenue is a capable design by the architects who also produced 55 Fifth Avenue and the studio houses at 12-26 East 8th Street. Decorative details suggest a take on Secessionist motifs. The building has been converted to residential use.

The Milano School, 72 Fifth Avenue

The oldest commercial work on Fifth Avenue south of 14th Street, 72 Fifth Avenue is also arguably the most inventive.  The overall scheme follows the example of the great 19th century architect Henry Hobson Richardson, whose highly individualistic revival of the Romanesque led to the recognition of an eponymous style: the Richardsonian Romanesque.  Yet the structure also incorporates… Continue reading

Just Off Fifth: The Tishman Auditorium

One of only 3 buildings in New York City designed by the masterful artist and (aptly named) architect Joseph Urban, the 1930 Tishman Auditorium of New School University is a striking presence on a street dominated by older rowhouses.  Urban’s work encompassed Viennese Secessionist, Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, which he used on the… Continue reading

At the (UN)FAIR

Today is the last day to visit the (UN)FAIR, the spectacular art fair-cum-installation environment co-curated by our colleagues Jennifer Wallace of n(A)scent Art New York and artist Mikal Glass!  Located at 500 West 52nd Street, this unique exhibition will end today, Sunday, March 9th, with final viewing hours from 11 AM through 8 PM and… Continue reading