Why New York Destroyed 3 Iconic Landmarks | Architectural Digest

[@fabiana.carchi967]

The worst mistake was allowing the demolition of Penn Station... Such a masterpiece.

[@Menstral]

They literally should have retrofit the building to have columns through the existing Penn Station in some graceful way, and then going up about 2-4 stories and then build another building on top of it. Alternately, they could have disassembled Penn station and moved it somewhere else. I read the Phaidon monograph on Penn Station

[@brandons2199]

there’s a proposal to move msg to Hudson Yards and then rebuild penn station in its original style. Look up rethink Penn station

[@CJODell12]

And such a terrible insulting replacement for it

[@MrRezRising]

Pete Hamill.

[@jdj8168]

@@brandons2199 that would be so weird and dumb. people dont want a rplica

[@rainbowbunniie]

I still want to cry every time I see a picture of the old Penn Station. How they could have let such an amazing piece of architecture get torn down is criminal.

[@karenryder6317]

What happened to Pulizer's building?

[@TheRandCrews]

@@karenryder6317 demolished replace by an entrance to the new Brooklyn bridge

[@d.e.b.b5788]

Like everything else in America, it was decided on the basis of MONEY. The railroads were all going bankrupt, and dragging their real estate holdings down with them; there are so many great stations which have been destroyed or still falling into disrepair. It's a shame.

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

@@karenryder6317 Pulizer, as in Pulizer Prize

[@TheJRSvideos]

The modernist/brutalist architectural movement of the 60s and 70s was an absolute disaster. No appreciation whatsoever for what had come before, and what's worse, they replaced much of those iconic buildings during what is arguably this country's worst era of architecture.

[@DementedDistraction]

It's always baffling to me when I see how many magnificent gilded age buildings have been lost and how more often than not, have been replaced with mediocre, uncharismatic concrete slabs.

[@karenryder6317]

The question is, why were they replaced by such mediocrity? Does it all come down to high classical style needing more maintenance and that pedestrian square cubes with no ornamentation are simply more economical? If so, then are we saying that profit is king and businesses can't support even a few specimen buildings that add to the aesthetic appeal of the community?

[@BZK-.]

or even worse, parking spaces

[@thealmightyaku-4153]

@@karenryder6317 It all came down to ideology. Certain architecture schools simply believed that older architectural styles _had_ to be gotten rid of, for various reasons - none of which made any sense. They simply believed the past should be forgotten and destroyed, just because.

[@satanified7089]

dirty and inhospitable concrete slabs at that!

[@ML-ov7wo]

You got it Karen Ryder. It’s all about demoralizing the population to be surrounded by bland depressing “economical” architecture. Building the prison around you.

[@jj6282]

The loss of Penn Station is deeply sad and it should not only remind us to maintain our built environment, grand and modest structures alike, but it should also be an example of why we need to reinvent buildings or places so that they continue to be useful to the community they serve. Michael, I would love to see a video of what you think are some of the best examples of adaptive reuse projects where a potentially endangered building or group of buildings has been given new life. I absolutely love this series.... please keep up the great work

[@derek20la]

As mentioned, the station was built and owned by the PRR. As the country deindustrialized, and interstates and jet planes came about, their two core businesses - moving freight and passengers - dried up. Not only were all their properties taxable by local municipalities, but at the time freight tariffs and passenger fares were also set by the government. The company was bleeding cash and answerable to their shareholders. The political climate at the time would likely not have supported a public agency purchasing the property, as what happened for Grand Central in 2020 (replacing MTA's 280 year lease). Oh how things changed in 1963.

[@RocketHarry865]

@@derek20la Imagine going back in time to the late 40's and exposing the damage caused by car and airline dependency.

[@cancerino666]

@@derek20la More like the US decided to join the car-brain cult. Train stations were kept and even extended in europe.

[@RcsN505]

I mean, it was nicer than the current building but it was so unoriginal. It looks so silly for buildings in the Americas to copy Greek and Roman styles. It's like they were trying so hard to be European/Mediterranean.

[@Huels]

There is a building in St. Louis called Union Station and it is one of the most famous train stations build in the 1890s. Instead of being torn down when the last train left in the 1970s, they turned it into first a shipping mall and later a family tourist attraction with an aquarium and a farris wheel. The original front and fountain still remain as well as the train shed that they have fountains in now and other stuff.

[@thelorax9622]

As an Australian who has never visited NYC, I really have no right to be mad about the original Penn Station being demolished - but it was a truly amazing structure and thankfully Grand Central Station was spared the same fate. Thanks for the video, Michael.

[@fourzerozerozero]

it's especially sad considering how madison square garden (the new one at that site, not the one talked about in this video) is so ugly

[@TheAmericanCatholic]

@Phillip Banes true

[@yuckyool]

Terminal

[@mooonlight778]

agreed

[@tanr9104]

Penn station reminds me of the Musee D’Orsay which was once a train station.

[@brianrussell7691]

I love your quote, “we’re not judged by what we build, rather what we demolish”. Wise words indeed. Thank you for a terrific video on architectural history in New York and their international inspirations.

[@avengemybreath3084]

Why not both?

[@pjeverly]

I would like to hear about the famous residential buildings in New York City. Or pretty much anything Mr. Wyetzner feels like talking about. Great series.

[@timdella92]

One of those who opposed the demolition of Penn Station was Jane Jacobs who moved to Toronto later that decade is one of the most instrumental figures of how we were able to preserve our Street Car system.

[@mikev.2945]

If you can find a copy of the 2001 book "The Destruction of Penn Station" I highly recommend it. The photographs are both stunning and ultimately sad as well. I guess (as noted in the video) the one good thing to come of tearing it down was the move to prevent things like this from happening again.

[@thomasklugh4345]

To Mike V. ... Yup. I've ordered it! It's a Big Book! And, yes, I agree... The original Penn Station was beautiful; one of a kind.

[@OSTARAEB4]

Yes Mike. I bought that book years ago. It’s beautiful but also difficult to see. I believe they started the destruction in October, 1962 and finished in late 1965 or 1966. I remember getting a cab with my late mother along the Seventh Avenue side to exit through the columns. I remember it was cavernous. A real tragedy she wasn’t saved. Seeing the jackhammers destroy her beauty is painful to witness.

[@mikev.2945]

@@OSTARAEB4 I'm not old enough to have seen Penn Station, but I remember the first time I walked through Grand Central and later learned that it was saved from being torn down. It was astonishing to me that such a thing would even be considered..

[@OSTARAEB4]

@@mikev.2945 I vaguely remember Penn Station. I was a young child but remember how high and ornate the enclosed area that ran the length of the station was where one hails a cab or ride. Yes, The Grand Central Terminal was indeed threatened and the late First Lady Jackie Kennedy was highly influential inbreeding campaign to save GCT as I believe it was slated for destruction also. Grand Central is the third terminal on that spot the predecessors leading back to mid-late 19th Century and both were quite interesting from the photos and steam to electric trains too. Union Station in Washington, D.C. was also threaded in the 1970’s also as many of these stations fell into disrepair and havens for homeless. Luckily, they refurbished Union Station and the trend to mall atmosphere with retail and restaurants and they did a great job in refurbishing the station sometime in the 1990’s like New York City’s Grand Central after cleaning the grime that adhered to the ceiling after decades and “sandblasting, pointing, whatever” to the exterior every so number of decades. Unfortunately, Chicago Northwestern Station was another beautiful, much smaller station in downtown Chicago that was demolished in 1984. However, New York Pennsylvania Station was from the pictures truly a beauty. Her demise was truly a travesty.

[@cthomas025]

Losing Grand Central and having Jackie Kennedy help to save Penn would've probably been a much better outcome for the city.

[@marinedrive5484]

An interesting fact about Stanford White is that he had no formal architectural training - not unusual at the time. He was apprenticed and then toured Europe before joining an architectural firm - and yet, he designed some of the most beautiful and theatrical buildings of the Gilded Age.

[@avsystem3142]

Near verbatim copying of 500 year old European architectural detail doesn't show much imagination or creativity.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

@@avsystem3142So you say. But the beauty of his designs, the grandeur of his structures, cannot be denied. What has been erected in their place is the epitome of characterless, collectivist ugliness.

[@InfinitePlain]

So he nicked some designs.

[@muscledavis5434]

​@@avsystem3142being inspired by sonething and copying something is NOT the same thing. And i would rather have buildings inspired by greatness, than boring boxes.

[@avsystem3142]

​@@muscledavis5434 Except that White did copy European architectural styles and details verbatim. The only creativity was in adapting them to the current project.

[@ElusiveTy]

I'm always so happy when Michael is brought back - please keep it up, AD!!

[@akhillmufc19]

Seeing these images of the old Penn Station is so depressing

[@Secretlyanothername]

Why? It looks pretty interesting actually.

[@EllieMae99]

@@Secretlyanothername it's depressing that they demolished such a beautiful building.

[@jj-if6it]

@@Secretlyanothername seriously? lol

[@Secretlyanothername]

@@EllieMae99 oh, but they built something better there instead. So that's good.

[@VermyScrubs]

@@Secretlyanothername No it hasn’t, commuters coined Penn Station has a dirty, cramped, dark hellhole that made them feel like animals, as one person said “One who used to enter into the City like a god now scuttles in like a rat” having been there before the opening of the Moynihan Train Hall, it was really depressing. All that destruction only to build a half functional sports arena

[@sofianester3201]

I love when Michael explains NY architecture. He’s super knowledgeable and i could listen to him talk for hours

[@benabadie7351]

Research Tartaria. This guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about

[@krissp8712]

@@benabadie7351 if we're going to believe in conspiracy theories I'd like to suggest the Empire State building is Mount Olympus and the Champs d'Elysee is a symbol of Atlantis

[@theklamoris]

I hope he has a class. I want to listen to him talking about architecture nonstop

[@skipads5141]

The Singer Building destruction was one of New York's biggest demolition travesties. It came as people really rebelled against losing great architecture for modern boxes to replace it.

[@wuzeltownphl]

Don't forget his towering neighbor, the City Insurance Building, which was torn down at the same time.

[@sarendalove]

The elephant in the room ! Guys, wake up!!

[@mikeydibiase9978]

His breakdowns are always mad cool and informative.

[@dfinite1111]

Rich and so valuable!

[@everetthamby5005]

Mad cool, eh?

[@asm-6547]

He’s the best they have! I click every time i see him

[@step2058]

@@everetthamby5005 They're probably from New York haha.

[@daduck87]

If only he actually talked about ALL of the MSG's and not ONLY the first two. Hell he has the current MSG on the thumbnail and never even talks about it.

[@jakobdees3489]

love this guy! He explains so clearly. I hope this series never end. Love every episode. keep it up! thank you!

[@benabadie7351]

Research Tartaria. This guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about

[@francogiobbimontesanti3826]

@@benabadie7351bro where would tataria even be? Tartars are still around today in Tatarstan. They tell their own history ands it’s very different to what you internet people claim. Go touch grass mate.

[@brianarbenz1329]

This video was one of the most enlightening 13 minutes I’ve spent online. I’ve spent very little time in NYC and my knowledge of it is limited to the generalities we’re always hearing. This was a wonderful look at some specific places and the wonderful and sad stories surrounding them.

[@LJB103]

How about a video on 3 demolished opera houses: the Academy of Music, the Manhattan (Hammerstein) Opera, and the original Metropolitan Opera?

[@susanbaker2796]

Great suggestion, Louis!!!!

[@OSTARAEB4]

Yes, imagine never tearing down the original Opera House on Broadway and West Fifties.

[@LJB103]

@@OSTARAEB4 I wish that I had been able to see a performance in that house. I do have to say that unfortunately there seem to have been many very serious shortcomings with the backstage/rehearsal areas.

[@OSTARAEB4]

@@LJB103 it’s also a shame the old Hippodrome on Sixth Avenue from East side of 43/44th only lasted from about 1905-1939 too. Imagine if they built the Empire State Building somewhere else and the original Waldorf-Astoria remained on 5th/34th. I think Lincoln Center in it’s sixty-year existence needs something new. However, haven’t been there in ages.

[@LJB103]

@@OSTARAEB4 The issue with the Waldorf-Astoria is that the hotel was already considered dated by the standard of newer luxury hotels and wanted to "follow society" uptown. 401 Fifth Ave (still standing) is much more beautiful than the current Tiffany & Co., but they did the same thing (and 401 5th was already a 2nd location of the company). I'm not the greatest fan of Art Deco architecture, but the plans (killed by the Depression) for a new Metropolitan Opera on the site of Rockefeller Center would have been more pleasing than Lincoln Center.

[@garyrutledge7639]

"Ultimately, we are judged, not by the monuments we create, but by those we have destroyed."

[@Crazyguy_123MC]

One building I'm so upset that was demolished was the Singer tower and its neighbor the City Investing Building. Both were so beautiful especially Singer which is my favorite building that ever existed. I've read that out of every old building they demolished Singer Tower is the one New York regrets losing.

[@Crazyguy_123MC]

@@annasolovyeva1013 I've seen pictures of that one. It shares a ton of similarities. Singer had a lot of beautiful buildings.

[@r62aguy85]

@@Crazyguy_123MCtwin towers were better

[@LRM12o8]

@r62aguy85 Nah, Twin Towers were ugly AF! If they hadn't been the tallest buildings of their time, nobody would've given a flying f@ck about their architecture. Being BIG is literally all they had to show for.

[@average.6079]

@@r62aguy85 In what way? They were just metal rectangles

[@craibinator5]

what's extra gauling about the Penn Station teardown is that they totally could have kept the facade, and at least some of the ornate features and scale and still turned it into a modern spots arena

[@sammavacaist]

I saw a documentary on it and they were literally throwing carved marble statues in the trash!

[@Lv-nq9qz]

@@sammavacaist a lot of them ended up in the swamps of New Jersey

[@Lv-nq9qz]

The appeal of the new Penn Station and MSG was that their glass facades would be easy to maintain, the office building would bring in money, and the scaled back train station would reflect the increase in automobile use versus public transport.

[@sammavacaist]

@@Lv-nq9qz Yes! That's what I saw in this doc. Throwing them in the NJ swamp! Unbelievable

[@JohnFromAccounting]

@@sammavacaist Ironic that a building that marked the "Age of Elegance" was discard in such a haphazard and thoughtless way that showed how careless the city had become.

[@donnalannan2978]

Your programs are fascinating as well as historic. So glad I happened upon these programs.

[@andrewbrendan1579]

Fascinating....and grievous to watch and listen to. All of these demolitions are tragic, but the one that I find particularly sad is that of Penn Station.

[@gandalflotr2898]

Let's hope someone build a replica

[@DrPeculiar312]

It was a cheap imitation. Cheap stone on a steel frame. Already crumbling when they tore it down

[@LJB103]

I never got to see Penn Station. My hometown wanted to get one of the eagles during demolition, but the price asked was too high. The reason for wanting an eagle is that they were carved in Milford, MA (my hometown) where all of the pink granite for the building was quarried (Boston Public Library, Allegheny County Court & Jail in Pittsburgh, and the Glessner House in Chicago are still standing examples of this stone). The other two were razed long before I was born. All were beautiful buildings. Excellent video.

[@gvs376]

Interesting. I believe two of the eagles are still missing. Most likely stolen during demolition.

[@tomeis8499]

Its time for a new "renaissance" of classical architecture! I'm done with the faceless and lifeless lined up cubicles of glass and metall, that were forced to live and work in.

[@avsystem3142]

Feel free to open your checkbook to construct such reactionary architecture, no one else is going to.

[@kelvinsurname7051]

Classical and traditional architecture!

[@avsystem3142]

@@kelvinsurname7051Traditional architecture? You mean like log cabins?

[@kelvinsurname7051]

@@avsystem3142 no, I am referring to more traditional building methods, usimg more local building materials, but also incorporating more traditional ornaments. N9t only those of beautiful Ancient Greek and Roman empire. Hope you understand what I am reffering to.

[@avsystem3142]

@@kelvinsurname7051 My comment was sarcastic. Ancient Greek and Roman architecture cannot be copied verbatim in the contemporary world for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is economic. All that can be done is create pseudo-classical mashups that may appeal to those ignorant of the principles of appropriate design. There are plenty of examples of modern architecture that is of stunning beauty.

[@Paulco67]

Michael knocks it out of the park again with another excellent presentation

[@michaelimbesi2314]

The loss of Penn Station is a tragedy and is probably the greatest indictment possible of the federal highway-building mania of the 1960s.

[@VanillaMacaron551]

Thanks Big Oil and Big Steel.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

@@VanillaMacaron551 Thanks to antiMarxist antiCommunist conservative fanatics: both republicunts and democraps.

[@RCAvhstape]

@@VanillaMacaron551 I was a buggy whip maker. They durka jerb!

[@DrPeculiar312]

Penn Station was a cheap imitation. Rock on a steel frame, like a pig in lipstick. Might have looked nice but poorly constructed. Would cost a fortune to maintain

[@Riley-uy5pe]

the destruction of black neighborhoods to build those highways is worse clown

[@PhD777]

Outstanding and fabulous video! Not only architectural but historical as well! Thank you!

[@veronicamdissues]

Wonderfully informative!!! Things often overlooked about old Penn Station's demise: The building was filthy, the roof leaked, was freezing in the winter and broiling in the summer. Everybody smoked then, and cars spewed full-out fumes, and nobody then knew how to "restore" buildings or single-pane ceiling glass. There WAS no better glass then. Plus Penn Central was BANKRUPT, zero budget for dreamy ideas! Realistically, if we put ourselves in their 1960s shoes, what would we have done? Today we've learned a bit, and might have found a way to finance its rehabilitation. But that was a wild idea at the time.

[@eddieafterburner]

The demolition happened before the Penn Central merger and subsequent bankruptcy. With that said, I hear ya. People seem to forget it was private property, and with passenger service falling off a cliff post WWII, it was probably the best option at the time. The PRR corporation wasn’t in the business of building and maintaining monuments to the past. By the way, all the same things said about Penn Station could have been said about DC Union Station, which fortunately did not meet the same fate and was fully restored in the early 80s, perhaps only due to the fact that it wasn’t solely owned by PRR.

[@michaelv2297]

I love hearing Michael break down NY history and architecture. He's a great teacher! Look forward to more from him!

[@BreakfastAtDior912]

I love his breakdowns and genuinely look forward to them! I would love to see a Breakdown of the history and design of the NYC Airports!

[@samanthab1923]

I worked for the PA of NY&NJ Aviation Dept. Tons of photos in the cafe in WTC One.

[@Bill.Pearson]

The statue of Diana from atop Madison Square Garden was saved and is on display in the Great Stair Hall of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It was conserved and restored about 10 years ago.

[@mrkrimpet58]

I knew that statue looked familiar!

[@matthewalexander6050]

This guy is the best, I always get excited when I see a new video with him!

[@susanbaker2796]

Same!

[@jefflawrentz1624]

I’d like to see you do a story on historic sites in New York where the property owners are allowing “ demolition by neglect”. I once read an article on a building from the 1600s that barely survived and the owner is allowing it to fall into ruin so they can develop the property. I’ll try to locate that article.

[@qjones6109]

14 gay street?? West village

[@thewordshifter]

I work with historic buildings. It happens ALL the time.

[@jefflawrentz1624]

@@qjones6109 The property I was thinking of is stone- was a tavern in the 1600s and in an area that was like commercial warehouses. But I’m glad to know about the property you mentioned. Thanks!

[@lexikropff7690]

@@thewordshifter i😢😢😢😊

[@lexikropff7690]

Lo😮

[@theblackdaria_]

I LOVE these! They're so informative. I had no idea there were multiple iterations of MSG and Penn Station. So sad we lost these beautiful historical buildings.

[@roey6541]

I would listen to michael talk about nyc architecture for hours on hours, please never stop this series

[@aholguin618]

YESSSS!!! Keep the Wyetzner videos coming. Less "3 interior designers massacre the same space" and more of this haha

[@subtropical1228]

Never ever ever take anything for granted - we only have nice things because someone fought for them to stay!!!!

[@olivernaufal]

To this day my heart aches every time I watch a documentary about how Penn Station was destroyed

[@JoannaLouise200]

HI from London! ~ I'm so enjoying Architectural Digest and am learning something new every time about New York City and more. It's so hard to believe that anyone would give the go-ahead to demolish any such buildings, especially the stunningly magnificent Penn Station. When you consider all the investment of materials, expense, artistic input and the phenomenal amount of sheer time and energy it took to construct such a finely detailed grand 'classical palace', for it to be then entirely erased from the streetscape after just 50 years! ~ it makes a person weep.

[@ashyclaret]

London has done the same and continues to do so.

[@minixtvbox]

London is a pit, even going demolish m&s art deco in Oxford Street.

[@deanpowers8393]

So informative...so heartbreaking. I love your comparisons to European architectural history, including construction and choice of materials. There's so much information imparted, but not too much, and not too quickly to be absorbed and enjoyed. If I had the aptitude for architecture, I would have loved having you as a professor! Fantastic video....the kind that KZbin was made for!

[@rameramaproductions]

The original, beautiful, Waldroff-Astoria hotel was demolished to make Way for The Empire State building. That would be an interesting one to cover that we would love to see!

[@stephaniemedina1848]

I am 68 and did not know any of this ..I love history and architecture🐱 it hurts my heart to think of having destroyed these wonderful buildings 🌹

[@trillb0t]

I'd love to see anything dealing with Pennsylvania's cities and architecture. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and a ton of smaller cities in PA have iconic architecture and it deserves to be featured!

[@Eggmancan]

This is fantastic. I love learning about cities through the histories of their buildings. It's so sad that these were torn down, especially since these buildings harkened back to historical styles and had some ornamentation, things which are virtually absent in modern architecture.

[@patrickjohnson2886]

This history is amazing. I will be watching these videos instead of any tv

[@Schloetz]

The extra bits of info that I would have never known otherwise such as sources of inspiration and building material is really what makes this simultaneously lovely yet heartbreaking to watch. It's such a shame that beautiful architecture gets demolished in favor of ugly and soulless modern/post modern styles.

[@mermade6516]

The celebrity videos are probably AD's bread and butter but I love these videos best.

[@adriannademadriguera4859]

this series should win awards. just fabulous. thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@mariasanchezcalvo5755]

This is a very sad story, but very greatly told! The series are brilliant 🙌🏽

[@davidoffhutchercitronllp967]

Great series, hosted by an even greater Architect, one episode more fascinating than the next! Well done AD and MW, keep it up, one of the best things to watch on KZbin!!

[@Dirk80241]

What a great overview of the style characteristics an historic background of Penn Station. Really sad that it was demolished. Progress? No a step backwards. Weird to hear the news anchor announcing the demise of this iconic building with such a cheerful voice.

[@PaulDiCesare]

I know there's a bunch of videos on KZbin about the singer building but would love to see a real architect like Michael explore that building and why it was eventually taken down.

[@sutherlandA1]

Lack of office floor space apparently

[@moon12349100]

It should be a crime to tear down these masterpieces

[@natalieeis9284]

This is my favourite series on KZbin and I am not even an architect

[@ingmarvanderhoek6314]

Always a good start of the day when Michael has a new feature. Informative, clear and hugely entertaining.

[@markvenaglia1548]

Casual and inviting presentations, loaded w great info and details. All of these posts are superb. Your request- I'd especially enjoy your unique observations of (demolished) Singer Tower.

[@Mar1neEng1ne]

I have spent so much time in penn station waiting for the lirr, never knew it used to look like that. What a shame.

[@williamstringer6519]

I find it immensely sad that these beautiful buildings were so heedlessly destroyed. I moved to London in 1960 when there was still much evidence of damage done during world war II. Among the ruins were still virtually intact buildings which were lovingly repaired and restored. The magnificent St. Pancras station gives triumphant testimony to this. There were other examples, so that London still remains a delight for enthusiasts of the monumental buildings built in the past, but still much loved and cared for today. One need only think how much some of these buildings would cost to build today, even if it were possible. The stone masons, sculptors, stained glass artists and the like are not available nowadays, when in the past they were often commonplace artisans earning a living wage.

[@raymondkearney6571]

What a marvelous presentation--interesting, clear, concise, with great graphics (and photos). Thank you so much for the discussion so well presented! One of the best ever!

[@Ben-tt3cg]

❤ Michael Wyetzner videos

[@michellekinder665]

I could sit and listen to this guy talk about architecture all day.

[@jasonjackson2425]

You asked for structures torn down that would be interesting to learn about, so here are a few that I'd like to learn about in Brooklyn: Fulton Ferry terminal, all the different horse tracks, grand hotels along the waterfront, and the reservoir which stood near Prospect Park.

[@levistubbs8949]

Fantastic knowledge, terrific information would love to see more. !

[@filippobenedetti7183]

This video was amazing! I would love to watch one about Ernest Flagg's Singer Building (1908) which was also a New York City landmark that sadly was demolished in the late 1960s.

[@BernardJTarver]

As a New Yorker, a history buff and a frustrated architect wannabe, I really enjoy these videos.

[@patriciamorgan6545]

I remember (vaguely) my mother driving me into NYC and past the original beautiful Pennsylvania Station, telling me it would be demolished soon. She wanted me to see it before that happened. I couldn't have been more than 4, 5, or 6 at the time. Oh, demolished in 1963? I was 4.

[@truthserum6808]

Such a beautiful masterpiece the original Penn Station was!

[@luciusvorenus9445]

Fantastic video! Cannot believe these beautiful buildings were demolished.

[@Suz-e-K]

Super interesting. I love hearing about the references to ancient architecture. Its a shame that we don't value historic buildings (talking to you, Austin, TX) because they are beautiful, and so much craftsmanship went into them, another thing lacking in contemporary structures.

[@daddythomas1389]

Always truly enjoy your videos!! That New York Times quoted had really struck me in the '80's when I was made aware of the tragedy of the destruction of Penn Station. And it will always resonate. Such a true and powerful quote. Thank you for all your work!

[@grandcarriage1]

I'd like to see some of Frank Lloyd Wright's demolished buildings discussed. The Larkin building, etc... Incidentally. This felt like a short lecture in the art and architecture university class of my dreams. ALL I can say is "MORE!"

[@anthonyxuereb792]

Frank Lloyd Wright's demolished buildings would be difficult viewing.

[@grandcarriage1]

@@anthonyxuereb792 . Like these buildings, there is lots of photographic documentation.

[@anthonyxuereb792]

@@grandcarriage1 Just as well and I'll say it if I must, "it's better than nothing." To be fair, maintaining these structures isn't cheap and sometimes they have to go. Look at the retired ship SS United States, what will its ultimate fate be? They brought the huge steam loco "Big Boy" back into running condition but you couldn't do that with the ship and it's costing a lot just in berthing fees.

[@rgandin]

I love these Michael Wyetzner videos! Keep them coming AD.

[@JRatermann]

I don't know if only does videos on NYC buildings, but I would love to see a video on the St Louis waterfront that was demolished to make room for the Arch grounds. I've heard that it had the largest collection of ornate cast iron building fascades outside of New York.

[@JxH]

It's nice to listen to the 'design elements' or 'design vocabulary' of architecture being explained so well. Thank you.

[@bonniechalek8958]

Can you discuss the Singer building? I just admired the Little Singer building on Broadway. Love your videos.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

After the devastating loss of Penn Station, my second choice for a tremendous loss for NYC,was the demolition of Ernest Flagg's, incredible Singer Tower. The decision to bring down such an iconic structure is unforgivable.

[@StarterClap]

These Michael Wyetzner videos are so good. He knows his stuff

[@jakemoore1973]

Michael - echoing others, I love this series you are doing. Your mix of detail and perspective is perfect. In this episode I enjoyed all the details, the changing infrastructure is really interesting, such as the L train on 6th and the trolly system on Park. I wonder what we have to learn about changes to transportation in NYC in the past that might help us understand how NYC and other cities will be shaped if cars take up less public space in the future. Maybe you could do the airports? Or public housing (or lack thereof) through NYC history, tenements to Projects. I know you have done tenements before.

[@keikei3301]

Gorgeous. Rebuild these historical masterpieces. What a shame they were loss and that most of the guilded age buildings were demolished. Preserve historical buildings

[@william_at]

Is so fun see, at the time, how obsessed was about imitate European's architecture, maybe to looking for a sort of 'allure' or 'glamour'? In any case, thanks for share this excellent video.

[@ny-infoblog]

I still can‘t believe they demolished this icon. Thank god they saved Grand Central Terminal. Great video (as usual).

[@ericbarritt304]

I'm fascinated by all the brick, stone & plaster shapes & status, tin & copper cornices & coping & brass & steel windows . New York City must have been humming with deliveries, staging & scheduling & frustrated project managers. Were a lot of the building materials formed & assembled around NYC? I can just imagine what an architect's office library must have looked like.

[@walterzielinski6654]

Of the three grand buildings depicted and discussed in this great video, my favorite one is The New York Herald building. If only there had been a Historic Landmarks Preservation in its time. If only! So many possibilities for re-purposing this architectural jewel box.

[@juliancoulden1753]

An unimaginable tragedy. Anywhere else in Europe these wonderful buildings would not have been destroyed.

[@hughmcaloon6506]

Excellent presentation and analysis! Thanks for sharing!

[@OSTARAEB4]

Of course, We miss the Singer Building and the old Hippodrome on Sixth and 43rd Steet NE corner in 1939. Also, the old Roxy Theater behind the old Taft Hotel which was razed in 1960 and the old famous hotels that were sadly demolished like The Savoy across from The Plaza Hotel on Fifth and 58/59th Street, the Rector/Claridge; The Astor, The Hotel Manhattan on the NW corner of Madison and 42nd demolished circa 1930. So many of the old beautiful hotels built 1900-1925 are long gone. Sad to see the old Hotel Pennsylvania across from Pennsylvania Station being replaced by another mega skyscraper. Thank you for your wonderful presentation Michael.

[@Wilma.Flintstone]

Yay, another video with Michael! I would so love to have lunch with him and just listen to him talk about NYC for hours :)

[@jeanne-marie8196]

An 1890’s retractable roof? I’m blown away!

[@ms.susanwalton8327]

A small part of Penn Station is now in Kansas City. A stone sculpture of a woman and eagle has become the Eagle Scout Memorial Fountain.

[@Evanb91]

You definitely need to do a video on the Singer Building. Great analysis btw

[@Crazyguy_123MC]

Singer is by far my favorite. I've read that out of all the buildings demolished in New York Singer is the one the city regrets losing.

[@noodengr3three825]

My dad loved the railroads and served in the US Navy in the late 50s on Long Island. He talked fondly of Penn Station his portal to heading back home to Indiana

[@markdeboer437]

I would love to hear about the Singer Building, which was the tallest building in NYC purposely torn down. This video was excellent!

[@3yebeams]

Marvellous - just marvellous - especially the historical provenence and antecedents with antiquity. What is fascinating is the use of materials in the structures of these modern buildings. This is just a superb series of explications. Excellent. More please.

[@brmnyc]

It might be interesting to do a show on some of the early skyscrapers that were demolished, which is so strange when you think about it because they were still such a new, modern form of construction. The New York World Building is shown in this video, when was that torn down? But the Singer Building is one that really was a loss.

[@bloatedtreeful]

Gorgeous video as always, but I think there’s a small error at around 2:38: In the interior photo of the entrance, if 33rd St. is at the top of the pic and 31st. St. is at the bottom, the photographer would be looking uptown (north), which means that 8th Ave. should be on the left (west) and 7th Ave. should be on the right (east). In the photo they’re reversed.

[@johnpaulsmajda]

I just wrote the same thing then found your comment! Kudos!

[@johnpaulsmajda]

The sunlight also tells you we are looking north. Either the picture is inverted or the labels are wrong.

[@ShainIva]

Michael Wyetzner is the best narrator here imo. Most interesting stories, like always. To know such an amazing buildings demolished feels like catastrophe. The story about vengeful husband made me elated a bit too much.

[@Fedgery007]

Beautiful old buildings. We’ve lost the ability to build beautiful buildings. Now it’s all about fast and cheap.

[@avsystem3142]

Santiago Calatrava begs to differ.

[@itsjoekent]

This was such an amazing video. I love every video this guy narrates.

[@shalemamcghee1542]

I'd loved to know more about the Madam CJ Walker house that was torn down in Harlem around the corner from The Schomburg Center. Plus Harlem mansions that no longer exist and/or the mansions that remain.

[@albionmerrick]

Penn Station breaks my heart on so many levels. Not only was it an incredibly beautiful building, but it was a monument to society, transportation, and human connection. But because it was private it was devoured by capitalist greed and replaced with a monument to placating the masses...