THE FACES OF NEW YORK: Beauty amidst the striking blend of the traditional and the contemporary, characterizing the impressive and unique identity of the Big Apple.
- Adriely Salvador
- Nov 28, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 10, 2024
Maybe an article about New York may seem a bit odd considering the predominant theme of this blog, which focuses on cozy and traditional elements, but it’s precisely this contrast of features that gives the city its unique identity, both incredible and crazy at the same time.
New York is a city of contrasts and diversity. Wealth and poverty coexist in extreme shades, ethnic and cultural diversity is found on every corner and in every district, and, of course, architecture makes its rich and contrasting presence felt. New York is the perfect place to walk just a few seconds and encounter stunning traditional buildings and homes, right after admiring the towering skyscrapers and the dazzling lights of the giant screens in Times Square.
Well-stocked with historic buildings, many of which are Gothic, Romanesque, and Neoclassical, the city’s urban landscape is carefully maintained through constant upkeep, renovations and new constructions, always in line with the existing styles, but constantly innovating and impressing.
The famous brown bricks, or “brownstones,” give traditional buildings their unique charm, and combined with Neoclassical architectural details, the iconic metal staircases on facades, and even glass window frames, they leave a distinct mark of the city’s identity. When we look at a photo of one of these facades, it’s almost impossible not to immediately think, “This is New York!”
This identity is very urban, with strong industrial elements everywhere, but despite that, it’s also beautiful because it carries the traditionalism that invites, connects and welcomes, even when mixed with the enormous and impressive buildings of the city’s workaholic culture, which elicit opposing sensations. Even if it’s not necessarily beautiful, this part of the identity is undeniably striking, and what’s striking is also fascinating! Let’s not be so rigid :D
Despite this identity being marked by buildings, it’s not uncommon to find beautiful, traditional american houses full of charm and greenery in neighborhoods and nearby towns. In this article we’ll take a look at these scenes present in the city. Keep reading.
To start our list of characteristics, here’s an image that is a perfect example of what I mentioned earlier about looking at a photo and immediately knowing where it’s from.
Simple images, brief content, quick visual reading, yet with a crystal-clear message! Who hasn’t immediately thought of the countless american movies and TV shows we’ve all watched, with New York as the backdrop? That’s exactly what I read the most in the messages I received when I posted this photos on my stories the other day. It’s incredible how those simple metal staircases on facades have such a superpower, right? Identity is fascinating!
Speaking of movies and TV shows, the one above is a more than perfect example, right? Fans of the TV show Friends know exactly the feeling. It’s no wonder we have a post on this blog specially dedicated to Monica’s apartment, which is, fictionally, located in this building. Not only does the apartment have enough content for an entire post, but the landscape depicted in the show also highlights a lot of the city’s identity, which is why I’m bringing you this lovely article! ;D
Another set of New York staircases, but this one is iconic for music lovers, especially classic rock fans like me! Led Zeppelin fans know exactly what this image is all about. It’s just the facade of a traditional building in East Village, but it was the cover of one of the band’s iconic albums, Physical Graffiti. Unfortunately, at the time this photo was taken, half of the facade was (and I think still is) hidden behind scaffolding for restoration.
Here we have a building that doesn’t follow traditional architectural beauty standards, yet it’s very characteristic of New York. Brown bricks, glass window frames, and a... very high height! Unmistakable!
Next, here are some images of buildings that feature more prominent traditional elements.
And here begins the blending of faces. Traditional adornments and staircases mix throughout the city. And speaking of traditional, let’s take a look at this other side of the buildings' identity. The following sequence of images will show you a series of beauty that is a trademark of this blog, always welcome and never enough to stop captivating us.
Aqui está a ilustração do outro tipo de escadinha típico de Nova York, pelo qual sou apaixonada. Inúmeros prédios nas várias regiões da cidade têm suas fachadas elevadas dotadas de belas escadinhas com seus guardacorpos muito bem elaborados.
Look at this wonderful composition! Staircase, railing, plants, ceramic pots, bricks, inviting door... as you know, I love it! The blog's banner about the elements that create true homes is in our first article, for those who are new here and still getting to know us.
And what about this beautiful window frame? It’s none other than at the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Literatures at New York University. And there's more to come!
Aren’t they beautiful? Lovely facades are abundant around here. A wealth of options.
A feast of doors! They’re everywhere around here. Beautiful, gorgeous doors! And for those who follow along, you know I’m the door enthusiast, and we also have a whole article dedicated to beautiful doors! So, I photograph all the ones that charm me.
Now, let’s take a look at some very traditional buildings!!
Look at this richness, my gosh!!!! Ornamentation and beauty in every inch. This magnificent building is the iconic Dakota, designed by architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh (also the architect of the Plaza Hotel) between 1880 and 1884, in multiple architectural styles, but officially defined as German Renaissance. The building was the setting for the film Rosemary’s Baby (1968), directed by Roman Polanski, and the place where John Lennon officially lived during the last years of his life.
Unfortunately, the entrance of this building was the site of his tragic death. My trick is always to change my perspective every time I need to look at it. After all, it would be unfair to ignore such beauty and grandeur, especially with the wonderful Central Park as its main view.
Look at these window frames and sills. Notice that the outer window leaves don't serve a real function, but are there as ornamentation, and we can see how beauty is validated.
I love seeing these contrasts! Right in the Financial District, amidst giants and glass-covered buildings, we come across this here and there *.* Fascinating!
Hahahahaha! Well, yes! This one speaks for itself, and the building even comes with a date. I just have one thing to say: I LOVE IT!
And what about this masterpiece? Trinity Church is a historic landmark in the United States. Officially founded in 1697, in what was then called New Amsterdam during the dutch colonization, Trinity Church played an important role during the American Revolution. It was designed by architect Richard Upjohn in the Gothic Revival style, and is located on the famous Broadway, also in the Financial District of Manhattan, right across from the equally famous Wall Street.
Okay, stop everything. It's impossible for me to describe the feeling of seeing this masterpiece. St. Patrick's Cathedral was designed in the Neo-Gothic style and officially opened in 1879, also playing an important role in the history of New York City's construction.
It's so much beauty! And being so well-maintained, it shines brilliantly at night, standing out even more as it's surrounded by towering contemporary buildings on 50th Avenue.
Now, jumping to another facet of New York's faces, in this next sequence of images we will see the enchanting beauty of traditional homes in private areas, where the houses are mostly separated from each other only by shrubbery and feature many trees and flowering gardens.
Look how cute! A facade with several typical elements of traditional architecture that make us feel welcomed and invited to admire its beauty. Here are more similar images of nearby residences.
Everything perfect, right? Well, Forest Hills is no longer in Manhattan. Located in Queens, it has a specific area filled with traditional residences, surrounded by lush greenery made up of large trees and residential gardens, all very well-maintained and safe. This last image is my favorite from this sequence. The beige with that shade of petrol blue caught my attention from start to finish during my walk through the area, and as I was about to head back home, I took a few steps back to capture it, because by then I had decided to stop taking photos and just enjoy the view. After all, my husband was walking with me and was getting impatient with me stopping every ten seconds to take pictures. Now, tell me, what fault do I have if the houses are so beautiful and photogenic?? Hahahahaha
One thing is clear, though, of course, it’s somewhat far from the reality of many for obvious reasons: New York has a place for those who appreciate both bustling, urban lifestyles and calmer, more traditional styles of living. With advanced systems, especially in urban infrastructure, it allows easy and quick movement between its districts. It has the environment and aura for every type of personality.
It’s possible to live in an area that has calm and everything you need around you, and relax without the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, and still be able to easily and quickly commute there whenever you want to enjoy its energy and everything it offers. Here, what you’ll never lack is agility, organization, beauty, and diversity!
Until the next post!
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