THEN AND NOW: 326 East 43rd St

 

1940

It was not until recently that we became aware there was another rowhouse ‒ 326 East 43rd Street ‒ pressing up against the western wall of The Hermitage. No. 326 looks like its fellow survivors up the street (Nos. 336, 338, and 340) and all were most likely built in 1870 by architect John Sexton.        

  2025

Finally yielding in 1963, No. 326 is bought and demolished to make way for the new Ford Foundation headquarters in 1967. Today, The Hermitage and the Ford Foundation have some kind of Tudor-Revival-meets-Brutalist look.

For more about Nos. 336, 338, and 340, see here.

The FORGOTTEN Entrance to No. 5

Continuing our interest in 1st Avenue, we turn our attention today to views looking south. At first, this shot taken from 41st Street and 1st Avenue showed nothing unusual ‒ until we spotted a canopy leading into a building that turned out to be No. 5.  

 

A closer examination reveals the name Windsor Tower on the marquee. We look around further. One of the building's workers is on a ladder doing something, while nearby, a passerby takes in the scene.

A second photo ‒ taken on the same date, February 21, 1931 ‒ seems all about the Socony sign, which fronts a gas station. But again, a close-up view is more telling:   

This is an elevated view of the long-forgotten canopy, which would be gone within a year. Perhaps the street repair outside contributed, who knows.

1st Ave between 43rd & 44th Sts

This week, a look at the west side of 1st Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets, made in 1940 by a collaboration between the Works Progress Administration and the New York City Tax Department to compile a photographic record of all the buildings of the five boroughs.

We begin our investigation with the building that stands on the northwest corner of 43rd and 1st. It's still standing today, although its southern views have been limited by the addition of the Sharansky Steps.   

Now, let us take a look at the stores pictured here. On the corner is Shorgan's, a bar/cafe, as well a sign on the second floor reading Headquarters, Employees Council Union of N.Y. The next building is fronted by United Cafeteria and a butcher shop.     

The most striking building on the block belonged to Tegetmeier and Riepe Co., proudly bearing the words Motor New York Trucks above their roofline. Their business was focused on the repair and repainting of cars and trucks.   

At street level, a welter of signs regarding auto parts. Plus a familiar face on the corner of 44th street. . .

Yes, it's the unofficial Tudor Lunch Bar, discussed earlier. 

Miscellaneous Miscellany

Once again, it's time to clear the desk of some random Tudor Cityana. 

First up, a photo illustration from New York magazine about mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, who appears to be gazing at No. 5 and No. 25. The article dubs him the Power Breaker, which brought to mind the original Power Broker, Robert Moses. Moses is pictured, below, during the planning for the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair.

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This postcard suggests having your cocktail party at the Hotel Tudor Cocktail Lounge, pictured above. The "finest of liquors and moderate prices make for happy entertaining." Makes sense to us.     

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Photographer Lewis Hine's picture of a man on lunch break on the rising Empire State Building with the panoply of Manhattan behind him, including The Woodstock, extreme right.  

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Fenestra Casement windows ‒ fifteen hundred of them ‒ outfitted No. 45 and prompted the manufacturer to issue this ad in the Architectural Record in December, 1928.    

Thanks to David Reiff for the ad

AD CAMPAIGN, 1940

A look at an advertising campaign from 1940 in which bachelors fed up with doing their own housework, executives worn out with tedious commuting, business couples weary of hit-and-run housekeeping, newlyweds anxious to keep within the budget, and families tired of living away from city activities all find the answer to their problems is Tudor City.

January 14, 1940

January 21, 1940

January 28, 1940

February 11, 1940

February 15, 1940

Tudor City Store

Say hello to a new shop in the colony, the appropriately named Tudor City Store, a virtual store online that never closes. And just in time ‒ Christmas is seven weeks away.

For us, the most outstanding item offered is this cap, featuring the community slogan from long ago.
 

The cap also works with more outré styling. 

A series inspired by a 1936 ad campaign. Above, as a pillow.

Tee shirts in assorted colors.   

Blown up on this shower curtain.

That's just the start of things at this new online store. Check it out here.      

Instagramable You

Welcome back to the world of Instagram and the talented people who live there.

by tudorcityvintage             

For your consideration are these freeze frames from a 2024 reel by tudorcityvintage. "Amazing party view tonight" (on the top floor of the Ford Foundation) was the caption.

by supersample12                   

by alanstreets                         

by konstantineburns       

by gettinviggy