Gothamist: Harlem Theater Design Showdown

joe

Tue, 01 Feb 2005 18:34:33 -0500

Please, please, please let's hope RD Management doesn't get to build this. Why? Their idea for a Harlem-themed restaurant: "the menu might offer a Zora Neale Hurston salad, a Romare Bearden pasta, a Miles Davis omelette and a Denzel burger." That'll make it feel just like Harlem.

Lemonsoda

Tue, 01 Feb 2005 13:40:04 -0500

The accepted level of mediocrity has simply spiraled downwards. Time to hit bottom. How come the better buildings of yore are almost uniformly pleasing? Could it be some simple rules, ornamentation, and builder's and architect's civic pride? Maybe we can even do better, how scandalous would that be!

B

Tue, 01 Feb 2005 12:58:13 -0500

for the life of me, i dont understand modern design. it's enough to make me want to become an architect. surely, there must be some way to build a highrise (office) space with windows that open, and plentiful light. and an attractive appearance. (think: gehry meets koolhaas?) this particular theater issue recalls to me the city's much older loss of penn station. robert moses did give us the beach, but he busted neighborhoods like nobody's business. it was sort of a mid-century road-rules strategy. dude didn't even drive a car. but i digress. nostalgically romantically yours, b