Tin Pan Alley is the nickname given to one single block in Manhattan - 28th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. This block became the epicenter of the music publishing and songwriting industries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This was where Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and the Gershwins created "popular music".
Some of the buildings these pioneers occupied still exist. These five row houses (47, 49, 51, 53 and 55 West 28th Streets) are now up for sale - for $44 million. Obviously, the original buildings would be torn down and another generic luxury condo building would be built on the site.
Go HERE for more information, and to sign a petition urging for the preservation of these historic buildings.
ugh, wouldn't it be nice if someone w/ a conscience purchased and renovated these gorgeous buildings? ugh, not the first time i wish i had a ton of cash!
ReplyDeletewould be very sad to see these historical site demolished, especially for generic crap that is sure to take it's place.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there will be a silver lining to the housing bubble? if developers can't get loans to buy and build...that might buy some time for a group to get some traction and save the block?
ReplyDeleteI signed it! What a shame that we live in such a "tear it down" world! I'm going to steal the photo and add a plug on my blog, too!
ReplyDeleteI just love it when you do pictures of NYC and throw in the history.it's the most romantic place in the world for me, bizarre as that may sound.
ReplyDeleteProbably NYC, know for the arts, is also the most money driven city in the world and thus preserving anything is next to impossible.
When down on my luck in life, I always had another "stay" on the streets of NY. Not something I'm proud of, but somehow I always did well and survived there. Not a bad place to be a bum if you have at least a little intelligence.( and if still young enough and attractive enough)
but on one of my return folly trips, I was so disappointed that the West Village had become so sophisticated..the beatnik days were gone and entrepreneurs had cashed in.that was one of the first signs for me. Chelsea place was just beginning its renewal then.And does anyone remember the old Met?
xoxoxo charlie
Is nothing sacred? No.
ReplyDeleteI love the then and now pictures. How sad they wouldn't want to preserve the amazing history of that area.
ReplyDeleteWow, they look like big townhouses! One would think they'd be more value (if renovated) since they are somewhat rare, than more condos which are plentiful.
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