December 4, 2013
By Peter Gisolfi, AIA, ASLA, LEED AP, ArchNewsNow.com
Lower 5th Avenue in Manhattan is architecturally coherent. From 23rd Street south to Washington Square, the masonry buildings hold the street line and are relatively similar to each other. They are self-effacing fabric buildings that work collectively to create the outdoor space of 5th Avenue, focused on the triumphal arch in the square. Why is this so? The simple answer is that in the early 20th century, those involved in creating the cityscape agreed on informal rules of engagement. Today, things have changed. More…