Results tagged “buildings”

Where Are Our Ugly Buildings?

Travel + Leisure takes a look at the World's Ugliest Buildings, and somehow no New York structures made the list. Not even the Verizon Building. Though the New York magazine architecture critic may have an explanation; he tells them: “The ugliest buildings are the anonymous ones. Even if an experimental, high-profile building doesn’t quite deliver, at least the architect is trying something. A boring building is a warehouse in the middle of New Jersey.”

      

Over the weekend, NY Times architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff took the opportunity offer his list of buildings for demolition:

Even the most majestic cities are pockmarked with horrors. There are countless dreadful buildings in New York; only a few (thankfully) have a traumatic effect on the city. So I propose we knock down the structures that not only fail to bring us joy, but actually bring us down.

The Department of Buildings has allowed architects and engineers to "self-certify" their plans and alterations, to help with getting the tens of thousands of buildings pending permits fast-tracked. But after recent outcry, the DOB has re-reviewed many plans, finding over 80% are "plagued with zoning violations."

A memo from FDNY Operations Chief Patrick McNally is instructing firefighters to conduct inspections of buildings under construction or demolition on two different timetables, depending on their height. City rules have long mandated that all buildings going up or coming down had to be inspected by the fire department every 15 days. McNally's memo now instructs firefighters to inspect buildings over 75 feet tall every 15 days, and below 75 feet tall every 30 days.

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