We had another early start as we planned for a mid town architecture walk and later tonight a play starring Bruce Willis.
We headed off for a bit of a walk to the meeting point for the tour, 41st and first avenue, opposite the United Nations building.
We basically walked all the way along 44th, including a quick trip through Grand Central Terminal as it bisects 42nd to 45th street. We arrived at the UN with a few minutes to spare and waited for the tour to start.
It was a cool but sunny day and we stood in the sun for a few minutes enjoying the warmth.
When the tour started we learned a little about the UN building and the reasons behind both its location and design. Actually the UN is housed on neutral territory, not NYC. The building is stark in design, in an attempt to appear neutral and does not pay homage to any particular country or period design.
We then walked to Tudor City – not a city, but an area of nine massive buildings designed as a community, including a church, school, shops and parks. Designed and built in the early 1900s it was an attempt to attract families to the 42nd street area.
We continued our walk along 42nd street visiting an array of buildings, including the Ford a Building, yes the Ford car company, but the building house the international philanthropic arm of ford. The building was amazing, with a massive tropical forest in the lobby. We visited the Daily New building where the Christopher Reeve Superman movies were shot. Th building the Spiderman movies featured and the renowned Chrysler building.
The Chrysler building, built to resemble a car with horn ornaments, aerials, aluminium and hub caps. The building is majestic and the tallest sling 42nd and once the tallest building in the world.
The most interesting part of the tour was the details built into all the buildings. The fine carvings depicting gargoyles, animals, mystical beasts, gods, Saints and the egos of the owners and builders.
We visited Grand Central as part of the tour – a space the is just magnificent. From the whispering hall to the reversed ceiling with built in constellations. To the magnificent Windows casting light in interesting and strange ways to the labyrinth like walkways and tunnels. Easily a space you could get lost in and enjoy the experience.
We then made our way to the library and almost all marble building known as the people palace.
This amazing building, extends underground with seven stories of book storage beneath. We walked the munificent staircases, saw the foundations and peaked at the original Gutenberg bible.
We then made it to Times Square, an area we are pretty familiar with and learned about some of the important theatres in the area that assisted with the revival of the area.
The tour ended and we left the group and walked to 40th street for a hot chocolate. After the break we popped into Muji, a Japanese styled store, for a look around.
We then walked home and had a break. Mardi took it easy for the afternoon and I went for a walk down Fifth venue to take some photos and secure some Lindt chocolate. Mission complete I returned home and we took it easy until we were ready to leave for the play.
The play, Misery, a Stephen King classic, was where we were off to. Bruce Willis played the lead and Laurie Metcalfe played Annie. It was fantastic. A very well done rendition of the book with both humour and drama. Bruce did a great job as Paul and Laurie was maniacal as Annie.
After the play we grabbed some dinner from Shake a Shack and headed home.
A big day, but as always fun, interesting and enjoyable.
