The High Bridge Water Tower, at 174th Street in Manhattan's High Bridge Park. (Ralph Hockens)
Over the weekend some of New York's closed doors were opened up to the public, for the annual Open House New York weekend. Take a look at some images that have popped up--and here's a look inside the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where they'll now be offering $30 tours. Did you see any interesting spots?





I missed the South Side of Ellis Island tour again? Time to create my own permission, I suppose. Why do they only open it once a year?
sympathetic-compass.blogspot.com
The high point for me was the Broadway Penthouse (at Great Jones Street), which I almost didn't get into because I got there just before they were about to break for lunch. (I lied and said I was with the woman in front of me.) It was featured in The New York Times just two weeks ago.
I waited 45 minutes to see The Kushner Residence (79 Barrow Street) after giving up last year when I saw the size of the line. It was cool, but I don't think it was worth waiting 45 minutes.
Other disappointments: Edward Hopper's studio (one room in an NYU-owned building) and the Metal Shutter Houses at 524 W 19th St, which was nothing more than the hole for a foundation!
Last year I wanted to see the underground pumping facilities of Astoria Pool and the old tunnel to the tarmac at Floyd Bennett Field; both were advertised as part of the open house program yet in both cases when I got there it was casually announced they were not going to be open to the public.
If they don't plan on opening certain areas to the public, DON'T adverstise it and waste my time.
Great photos.
The problem is, the OHNY booklet gets printed in June. That means the hosts have 4 months to change the schedule -- which inevitably happens. I suppose OHNY is powerless to make property owners stick to the schedule they agreed to.
The day was still pretty good and the overall attitude seems to be STFU and take what they give ya...
www.forgotten-ny.com
My favorites: 1) Floyd Bennet Field, especially Hangar B where they are restoring old planes. We did get to see the tower and the access tunnel. You didn't miss much in regard to the latter. 2) Backstage tour of BAM, 3) PS 260.
I only got to the Coney Island: Past, Present, & Future Walk. It was fascinating, & was my first time there.
I hope to be able to get to more next year.
Kevin, I love your book & website, & hope to do some of your tours some time!