Wednesday, July 17, 2024 – MORE GREAT EXHIBITS TO SEE THIS SUMMER

By admin

BRING YOUR DONATIONS TO COLER AUXILIARY ON WEDNESDAYS, JULY 17, 24TH FROM 10 A.M. TO 1 P.M. 

CONTACT US PRIOR TO ARRIVAL AT 917 744 3721

INDOOR PUBLIC SPACES

IN MANHATTAN

FOR YOUR OWN

URBAN OASIS


 NEW YORK UNTAPPED

PART 2

ISSUE # 1274

In Midtown, 6 ½  Avenue is a series of mid-block crosswalks from 51st Street to 57th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenue, connecting arcades within the dense buildings of Midtown. They are the unique children of the ongoing public-private love affair dotted around New York City called POPS, privately owned public spaces.

The David Rubenstein Public Plaza is one of our favorites, as we’ve seen this atrium go from a climbing wall with sparse activation to a true indoor public space. There are two vertical green walls, a cafe, and plenty of seating. And every Thursday, you are treated to live, world-class music.

If you go looking for this atrium, don’t head to Lincoln Center proper. Enter from either Broadway or Columbus Avenue, between 62nd and 63rd streets. The narrow entrance makes it easily missed, but there is a large overhang above the sidewalk to denote its existence.

Noted architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee originally designed the landmarked tower at 550 Madison, but its public garden atrium recently got a major upgrade designed by Snøhetta. This POPS is now a year-round garden where you can find many seating options among the lush plantings.

Admire the architecture of the New York Public Library’s 42nd Street branch as you seek respite from the heat. You can admire the marble-clad Astor Hall, stroll through the gift shop, and check out rare artifacts from the library’s collections in the Treasures Exhibit. Any New York Public Library makes for a great place to cool down.

I REMEMBER SOME BENCHES IN
BACK OF RIVERCROSS.  A GREAT PLACE TO SIT
AND CONTEMPLATE THE WORLD.
WHERE DID THE BENCHES GO?

CREDIT

SECRET NEW YORK
JUDITH BERDY

All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated
THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.

Copyright © 2024 Roosevelt Island Historical Society, All rights reserved.Our mailing address is:
rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com