TUDOR CITY from the REAR

For the holiday weekend, we've selected a group of photographs featuring the many flags of the United Nations. And, not incidentally, all of the pictures feature the backsides of Tudor City buildings. Happy Memorial Day.   

Instagrammable

 And once again, it's time to spotlight our talented Instagrammers who are responsible for this week's content. Take it away. . .  

by 917vis                  

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by munoz_ricardo_x      

   

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by online_newyork                

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A reminder that Manhattanhenge is coming soon, plan accordingly.

Manhattanhenge 2026

Thursday, May 28, 8:14 pm, half sun

Friday, May 29, 8:13 pm, full sun  

Saturday, July 11, 8:20 pm, full sun

Sunday, July 12, 8:21 pm, half sun

PRADA in Tudor City

We'd like to welcome back the fashion shoot video, this one courtesy of the house of Prada. Although the short film ‒ a mere 1:49 long ‒ is pretty baffling in a typically Prada way, it's just plain pretty in its Tudor City imagery.

We begin on a rooftop terrace of No. 5, where a girl stands holding something up. (Directly above her is the new tower of Chase Bank, enthusiastically lit each night.)

Close up on the girl, played by actress Scarlett Johansson, who is airing out her Galleria bag.

In the North Park, she attempts to shake some moisture from the tree into her handbag. The Manor provides the background.

The story continues in the 41st street cul-de-sac where she records the sound of a medium-size dog barking. 

A final yap and the saga moves on. 

After several more oddball twists, the camera alights on a sphere nearly big as the room. Paging Stanley Kubrick! 

Scarlett Johansson is a global ambassador for Prada, and the face of its Galleria Bag. This short film entitled "Ritual Identities" was directed in 2025 by Yorgos Lanthimos, better known as the director of the movie "The Favorite."

See the complete short film here.

Introducing BIGELOW-HARTFORD RUGS

We thought we had covered all the original manufacturers of note in Tudor City until we came upon the following ad from Bigelow-Hartford rugs and carpets.

Bigelow-Hartford rugs and carpets was once the single largest manufacturer of carpeting in the United States. From its founding in 1914, it was flying high in September, 1929 when this ad ran.  

For "A CITY WITHIN A CITY"

Tudor City, the astonishing real estate development of the Fred F. French Companies is one of the wonders of modern New York. Within a comparatively few years, a large area at the east end of 42nd Street has been converted from a section of dilapidated tenement houses into one of the city's finest residential districts.

In this project, Bigelow-Hartford rugs and carpets have played a part of no little importance, for they are used exclusively in every one of the Tudor City buildings. Foyers, corridors and furnished apartments. . . all decorated in the best of taste. . . are provided with floor fabrics from the Bigelow-Hartford looms.

More convincing than the strongest written testimonial, this indication of confidence in Bigelow-Hartford rugs and carpets is shared by hotel men the country over. They know that in the floor coverings of this century-old institution they receive full value in quality. . . in style. . . in durability.            

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A year goes by and thanks to a merger with a competitor, the company is now known as Bigelow-Sanford Rugs and Carpets. The ad copy remains pretty much the same. 

Hotel Tudor / Twelfth Unit / Tudor City

. . . and it's just as beautiful on the inside.

The opening of unit number twelve makes it possible for more discerning New Yorkers to "live in Tudor City and walk to work". . . to live comfortably and well in surroundings of tasteful luxury.

Bigelow-Sanford rugs and carpets play no small part in creating, and maintaining, the Tudor City atmosphere of charm. Theirs is a style that wears well. Their authentic patterns and colors will be good style for a long, long time . . . and well-preserved style, for superb construction insures a fresh "new" appearance for years.

Follow the example set by leading hotels and apartments throughout the nation. Choose from Bigelow-Sanford's unequalled variety.  

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Bigelow-Sanford unfortunately never recovered from the Depression, and finally sputtered out in 1971. It lives on in that enchanted Tudor City frame of mind ‒ along with Gorham silver, Fenestra windows, Frigidaires, Murphy beds, Standard Sanitary fixtures, Lamberton Scammell china, and Atlantic Terra Cotta.

Anatomy of a Drypoint Etching

This edition of Tudor City art features a return to Building a Babylon, a drypoint etching by Martin Lewis. Exhibited in his solo show of 1929, where he first made his name.

Herewith, the full image as seen from 1st Avenue and 41st Street. Below, the anatomy lesson.

The Woodstock stares out at No. 25 vacantly. At the time of this etching, there's not a single light on, indicating it's a building in progress. No. 25, by contrast, is alive with lights.

The building in the 41st Street cul-de-sac was apparently some kind of storage hut for the impending coming of No. 5. All of the lights are on here.

Pulled back to show it's a long way down.

Beneath, a labyrinth of shapes of all kinds.

The sole figure in the composition is at the lower left. 

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More about this artwork from our earlier post, here.

MISCELLANEA

 Here's another installment of Miscellanea for your viewing pleasure:

At a table in the Tudor City Steakhouse sit Cindy Adams, the New York Post's gossip columnist extraordinaire, along with Mirso Lekic, owner of the restaurant. Only in New York, kids.

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A photograph of 1st Avenue and 40th Street, looking downtown. On the right is No. 5, while across the street is the home of the WM INTNER MATTRESS CO. They seem to be reputable enough; the wall along 40th Street reads

MANUFACTURERS

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MATTRESSES

BOX SPRINGS

BOX COUCHES

PILLOWS

ROLL BOLSTERS

COT BEDS

METAL SPRINGS

Whether they supplied any bedding to Tudor City is unknown.

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The Sharansky Steps and the Isaiah quotation set the backdrop for this picture made on September 19, 1960. The protestors' poster says it all:

Down With Castro

CUBA  Yes

COMMUNISM  No!

Cuban Front  F.R.D.

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Part of the Tulip Celebration of 1939, this picture was made from a window in The Manor, showing the stage set for baritone Glenn Darwin. From the collection of Fabrice Frere, thanks Fabrice.

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Finally, proof there's life after fifty in Tudor City.  

Penthouse 1 + 2

We came upon the above listing while cruising Streeteasy recently. Apparently Penthouse 1 and 2 had been purchased by one owner and were now one unit, on the market for $10 million dollars. And then, just as suddenly, the banner, "TEMPORARILY OFF MARKET 3/12/2026."

Whatever it is, whether it is ready or not, they did publish numerous pictures of the renovation in progress. Here are a few of them.

The once-elegant living room of 601 (and rest of the 9-room apartment) has been stripped down to its studs.

The opposite view with the working fireplace hidden behind boxes.

Facing north in one of the bedrooms.

Penthouse 2's living room; through the doorway is the living room of Penthouse 1.

Stairs leading up to the roof.

There is nothing to be done on the roof except try to figure out where the hammock should go. Below, a floor plan of the triplex:    

See our earlier post when it was just plain Penthouse 1, here.