New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [60]
New York Times Building.
This Renzo Piano–designed testament to clean-lined modernism is perhaps most famous for two visitors it received on June 5, 2008, both of whom climbed straight to the top but didn’t take the stairs—or even set foot inside—to do so.
The first to grab the 52-story building’s distinctive, ladder-like ceramic rods without using ropes or harnesses was Alain Robert, a then-46-year-old stuntman who had previously climbed the Sydney Opera House and Eiffel Tower, among other architectural icons. Upon reaching the top, he unfurled a banner warning against global warming. Hours later, a Brooklyn man made the same climb, later claiming his intention was to raise awareness of the dangers of malaria, and replying “no” to the question of whether he was a copycat. Both men were arrested.
The architect extended the ceramic rods beyond the top of the building so that it would give the impression of dissolving into the sky. Escape congested streets in the building’s lobby atrium, which includes an open-air moss garden with 50-foot paper birch trees and a wooden footbridge, a 560-screen media art installation titled Moveable Type streaming a mix of the newspaper’s near-real time and archival content, and a flagship store by minimalist home goods designer MUJI. Plus, you never know which famous journalists you’ll spy. Unfortunately, tours are not offered. | 620 8th Ave., between 40th and 41st Sts., Midtown West | 212/556–1234 | Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St.; 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S to 42nd St./Times Sq.
The Plaza Hotel.
With two sides of Central Park and 5th Avenue at its doorstep, this world-famous 19-story 1907 building claims one of Manhattan’s prize real-estate corners. Henry Hardenbergh, who built the Dakota on Central Park West, here concocted a birthday-cake effect of highly ornamented white-glazed brick topped with a copper-and-slate French mansard roof.
The original hotel was home to Eloise, the fictional star of Kay Thompson’s children’s books, and has appeared in many movies, including Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, Plaza Suite, and Home Alone 2.
After a $400 million renovation, the Plaza reopened in early 2008. The legendary Oak Room, Oak Bar, and Grand Ballroom are all back, as are new high-end shops (including an Eloise-themed mecca), an upscale dining court by celebrity chef Todd English, luxury hotel rooms, and condo hotel units. | 5th Ave. at W. 59th St., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/759–3000 | Subway: N, R to 5th Ave./59th St.
St. Bartholomew’s Church.
Known to locals as St. Bart’s, this handsome 1919 limestone-and-salmon-color brick church represents a generation of Midtown Park Avenue buildings long since replaced by modernist behemoths and contemporary glass-and-steel towers.
It’s a pleasant surprise to stumble upon its triple-arched Romanesque portal and see the intricately tiled Byzantine dome set against the skyscrapers, and then have a bite at its popular outdoor café open in good weather.
St. Bart’s also sponsors major music events throughout the year, including the summer’s Festival of Sacred Music, with full-length masses and other choral works; an annual Christmas concert; and an occasional organ recital series that showcases the church’s 12,422-pipe organ, the city’s largest. The church has been associated with VIPs in many capacities, including weddings. | 325 Park Ave., at 51st St., Midtown East | 10022 | 212/378–0222, 212/378–0248 for concert information | www.stbarts.org | Free | Tours leave Sun. after services (around 12:15) | Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., and Sat. 9–6, Sun. 7:45–6, Wed. 9–8:30 | Subway: 6 to 51st St./Lexington Ave.; E, M to