A NEW Super Tall Building is proposed in New York

OIIO STUDIO  

A new "supertall" skyscraper has been proposed for New York.  The inverted "u-shaped" tower would be 4000 ft, the longest tower in the world and would stand at its curve approximatley 200 ft higher than One Trade Center, which is tallest tower in New York.  The design is by architect Ioannis Oikonomou. who was influenced by the technology of horizontal elevators.

“'If we manage to bend our structure instead of bending the zoning rules of New York we would be able to create one of the most prestigious buildings in Manhattan,'” he continued. “'The longest building in the world. The Big Bend can become a modest architectural solution to the height limitations of Manhattan.'”  The building is proposed to be built to the south of Central Park on 'billionaires row.'

I'm not sure that I like the design.  What do you think?

Reference:
"The Big Bend: U-shaped New York Skyscraper seeks 'Longest in the World Title."  Moore, J. 2017. http://www.newsweek.com/big-bend-u-shaped-new-york-skyscraper-seeks-longest-world-title-575267/.

NEW Manhattan Residential SKYSCRAPER: 56 Leonard

http://56leonardtribeca.com/home/

Herzog & de Meuron have designed an iconic tower in the New York skyline. 56 Leonard is a 60-story vertical glass expression of sculpted surfaces, cantilevers and sparkling glass.
  

This “new generation” of glamorous sky high towers taking over the Manhattan skyline is a jenga-inspired building that will stand at approximately 821 feet tall.

It will be TriBeCa's tallest tower and the top ten floors are penthouses.

http://56leonardtribeca.com/home/

 http://56leonardtribeca.com/home/

http://56leonardtribeca.com/home/

http://56leonardtribeca.com/home/

R.I.P. Elaine Stritch. A dame in the best and truest sense.

One of the most remarkable moments of my life was seeing Elaine Stritch in her show at the Cafe Carlyle a few years ago.  We sat literally at a table beneath this goddess's feet.  Every single second was pure magic.  Thank you, La Stritch.   

She gave us "Ladies Who Lunch".  She also gave us the best version of "I'm Still Here."  And so much more.


She may be gone, but she truly left an indelible impression on this world of moxy, humor, intelligence, fortitude and most of all originality.   

NORDSTROM's TOWER in NYC will be world's tallest RESIDENTIAL TOWER

A new skyscraper is going up in midtown Manhattan which will be the tallest residential tower in the world and the the fifth tallest building in the world.  It's spire will top out at 1775 ft, just a foot lower than 1WTC but the actual roof height will be 1479 ft versus WTC's 1368 ft.  

The building, with an estimated completion date in 2018 is a super-slim, super-tall, tiered skyscraper. The first seven floors will house a Nordstrom's store and the remainder of the building will residences.  

The building was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the firm responsible for Dubai's massive Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world.   This building joins another of new proposed super tall towers in NYC.  Exciting.

For more information:

http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2014/07/09/extells_nordstrom_tower_to_almost_match_one_world_trade.php.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2687728/New-Yorks-Nordstrom-Tower-tallest-residential-structure-world.html

The Strand and Magnolia Bakery in NYC....my two favorite places on the planet

I made a quick trip into "The City" on Monday from Long Island to visit my two favorite places: The Strand Bookstore and Magnolia Bakery both in the Village.

It was worth every too short, New York minute. It was drizzling and a perfect day.

The Strand sells new and used books and is the ultimate bookstore for me. In my previous blog entry, I shared the Top 10 bookstores in the world according to a writer for London's Guardian newspaper. The Strand was conspicuously absent! The Strand is simply heaven. I wish I could work there.

Magnolia Bakery, for those of you who are unfamiliar, came to fame in Sex and the City television series. They are famous for their incomparable cupcakes (I prefer the vanilla...with that butter cream frosting). But I also tried this time the red velvet cupcakes which were also delicious. My friends with whom I was staying in Long Island, Shelly and Patti, told me that the bakery has something that is even more fabulous than cupcakes these days and which happens to be one of my most favorite desserts: Banana Pudding. And they were right. Banana Pudding is either really lousy or really spectacular, IMHO.

Magnolia's Banana Pudding is simply one of the most heavenly, spectacular culinary experiences you'll have in your lifetime. I moaned and sighed and sobbed through my two experiences thusfar. Last portion will be served tonight. I'm already weeping at the thought. (I even brought home Banana Pudding and cupcakes to share with The Bug.)

After the two visits and the walk in the drizzle to and fro I took the LIRR back to Glen Cove. What a perfect day!

Magnolia Bakery (this is the original downtown location but they have two other locations)
401 Bleecker Street
(212) 462-2572
www.magnoliabakery.com

Strand Book Store
828 Broadway
(212) 473-1452
www.strandbooks.com
Get directions

Heading from Baltimore to NYC

I'm on Amtrak heading from Baltimore back to NYC. I love riding trains.

Where I live in Southern California train travel is a rarity. When I lived in San Diego I used to take Amtrak periodically from San Diego to LA for business.

There is nothing more civilized than train travel. I know commuters who do it frequently travel via train might think differently. But try commuting for hours in a car....you're so limited in how you can utilize your time. You certainly couldn't blog like I'm doing now.....at least until they've eliminated the need for fingers for computers and replace it with voice commands.

But I love to travel by train. By plane, in fact. And by boat. I guess I'm not very earthbound. I'd rather be going to, traveling to something and I'd imagine that is the appeal that boats, planes and trains have for me.

I get to ride the train so infrequently these days that it is a true pleasure to do so.

After dinner tonight, I'll head out to my deahest friend, Shelly Mullen's home in Long Island for a long weekend which I am eagerly looking forward to.

Have a great weekend too!

Mark