50th & 7th Ave [NW Corner] (May 6, 2012)

This three-story Applebee's is the largest in the world, near Times Square.          CLICK TO ENLARGE

19th & 8th Ave [SE Corner] (May 12, 2012)

Nisos is restaurant in Chelsea named after the ancient Greek word for "island."  NY Mag says, "The vibe is more South Beach eatery than Mediterranean fishing port," while GayTravel reports, "Nisos has steadily evolved into one of 8th Avenue's gayest eateries."  This stretch of 19th Street is named Jane Woods Way, in honor of a longtime Chelsea activist and labor leader.           CLICK TO ENLARGE

Beach & Varick [SE Corner] (1935 & 2012)

"Then-n-Now!"

In 1935, this Tribeca corner was occupied by a handsome three-story building. Today it is a parking lot and a decaying billboard. The buildings behind the lot are the same today as they were in 1935. Today, a "Dark Shadows" vinyl movie banner. In 1935, an "Office & Warehouse" advertisement painted on the brick facade. But things are about to change, for the better or worse, depending on your perspective. Ground has been broken to make way for 9-story, glass-and-concrete, luxury condo with 16 units (See rendering below). Go see the parking lot and billboard before it's too late. The Ghostbusters Firehouse is just a few feet away (but we'll cover that in a dedicated blog post)                                    CLICK TO ENLARGE.

Rendering (looking North, opposite of images above), courtesy of Tribeca Citizen.

34th & 7th Ave [SE Corner] (June 24, 2012)

The Empire State Building... The world-famous Macy's building... Assorted skyscrapers... and One Groovy Billboard!  NYC!                       CLICK TO ENLARGE (much cooler!)

Downing & Varick [NE Corner] (May 11, 2012)

To Paraphrase one enthusiastic Yelper, “I've always wanted to like free-form improv jazz.  So many other people seem to love it - but I just don't. Same thing with Baklava…"  The Red Corner Cafe.  Sweet Website.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

55th & 7th Ave [SE Corner] (May 7, 2012)

Tori Avey ('The Shiksa in the Kitchen') says "Ben Ash sits right across the street from Carnegie Deli, luring in unsuspecting tourists when Carnegie is too busy to seat them." Here's a random Jewish Deli Top 10 list.                                        CLICK TO ENLARGE

Bleecker & Bowery [SW Corner] (April 29, 2012)

According to the NY Times, “Saxon and Parole were two 19th-century racehorses. [The restaurant has] a vague horsy ambiance -- part bluegrass men’s club, part Cracker Barrel, which in fact is warmly appealing.”

109th & 3rd Ave [SW Corner] (April 21, 2012)

Apparently, Uptown Jiggie Sports in Harlem is the place to go for fitted hats. HowFreshEats says, "they have the iillest assortment of fitteds in NYC." And one Yelper even found some classic Hartford Whalers gear here.                                     CLICK TO ENLARGE

Canal & Cortlandt Alley [SW Corner] (May 26, 2012)

Cortlandt Alley. "The archetypal image of a New York City alley – narrow, dank, secluded, and bordered by decaying loading docks, rusting fire escapes, and graffitied brick walls," says ScoutingNY.  More pics HERE.

CLICK TO ENLARGE                                      

11th & 4th Ave [SE Corner] (May 26, 2012)

Originally located on the Upper West Side, Amsterdam Billiards was founded in 1989 by comedian David Brenner, along with brothers, Greg and Ethan Hunt. In 2007, they were forced out to make way for luxury condos, and found a new home in the East Village, near Union Square, replacing Corner Billiards. The partners poured $2.5 into the project, which is modeled on the type of “classic old billiard club” common in the 1940s, and features 26 Brunswick tables.       CLICK TO ENLARGE

 Lights On!

N 7th & Bedford [NW Corner] (June 3, 2012)

Williamsburg, Brooklyn... This is often the first glimpse of Williamsburg one sees upon ascending the L train subway stairs for a night of drinking. And Tacos Morelos tastes like fine dining at the end of said night of drinking.        CLICK TO ENLARGE (looks much better)

120th & Frederick Douglas Blvd [SW Corner] (April 20, 2012)

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

4th & Bowery (SW Corner) [April 29, 2012]

The B Bar and Grill, was an early gentrifier on the old skid row -- The Bowery. Opened in 1994, the business sits on the site of a former dilapidated Gulf gas station. (Can't find a photo... anyone?)
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE (It looks much better that way)

Spring & Varick [NE Corner] (1935 & 2012)

"Then-n-Now!"

In 1935, 150 Varick Street was occupied by the Westinghouse Electric Supply Co. The showrooms were on the ground floor. What you can't see (just to the right) is the giant, ultra-modern Trump SoHo hotel/condo, which opened in 2009. Many local groups protested the construction of the luxury high rise, citing zoning and preservation improprieties. The loft buildings in the neighborhood have not changed much during the past 70+ years. However, the  the cars have changed drastically; and it looks like Varick was a 2-way street in 1935.       [1935 photo from NYPL]                      CLICK TO ENLARGE

19th & Irving Place [NE Corner] (April 16, 2012)

80 Irving Place, built in 1920, is covered in Boston Ivy. Various Websites estimate the value of this Gramercy building to be between $7 Million and $14 Million.              CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

27th & 3rd Ave [NE Corner] (May 27, 2012)

The Rodeo Bar, born in 1985, is one of the better bars in this stretch of "KipMurCy" (Kips Bay/Murray Hill/Gramercy). Yes, I coined a new neighborhood name. Live Honkey-Tonk music 7 nights per week. We once saw Norah Jones perform here on a random Thursday night -- a great NYC surprise. And Joan Osborne got her start here, back in the 90s. Before Rodeo Bar, this spot was inhabited by a joint called 'Albuquerque Eats.' I'd love to see a pic of that.     CLICK TO ENLARGE

Night shot by FirstLiveGuide

Canal & Ludlow [NW Corner] (May 26, 2012)

In May 2011, this mural was painted to promote the Bruce Cost-branded ginger ale, "Fresh Ginger." And, Twin Marquis Inc., specializing in noodles and wrappers, was founded here in 1989 by brothers Joseph and Terry Tang. They've since moved to Williamsburg, Brooklyn.        CLICK IMAGE

Bodegas

We need more Bodegas, yes?

31st & 5th Ave [SW Corner] (April 21, 2012)

N 11th & Wythe Ave [NW Corner] (June 3, 2012)

Williamsburg, Brooklyn... Wythe Hotel

Built in 1901 as a cooperage (wine barrel factory?), the building has been renovated into Williamsburg's first luxury hotel.  Brooklyn Bowl is across the street.        CLICK TO ENLARGE

4th & Ave B [SE Corner] (April 18, 2012)

NewYorkDailyPhoto is right: "The red, blue, gold, and white painted structure stands out dramatically from anything around it and screams for attention. There are virtually no references to it online." One comment-er on this EVGrieve post recalls the neighborhood in the early 1980s ("... tons of heroin.").

Bedford & Grove [NE Corner] (1936 & 2012)

"Then-n-Now!"

17 Grove Street was built in 1822 by William Hyde, a prosperous window-sash maker, during a time when Yellow Fever forced city dwellers to flee to the "suburbs" of Greenwich Village. It is one of the few remaining intact wood frame buildings in Manhattan. The third story (and fire escape) was added in 1830. And in 1833, Hyde added the workshop out back. Both are now single-family residences. As you can see, very little has changed since 1936. [1936 photo courtesy of NYPL]                           CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
Here's an interesting shot of the intersection taken by the one-and-only HOILE (@westcoastfan32).

Bleecker & 7th Ave [SE Corner] (March 20, 2012)

A fantastic reader submission...  The "Taco Taxi," a 1950 Studebaker, at Caliente Cab Co.   
Thanks, Bill Carswell!                             CLICK TO EXPAND (really comes to life!)

54th & 3rd Ave [NE Corner] (May 12, 2012)

USPS Franklin D. Roosevelt Station. "The second floor is cavernous and features a painting from the 1980s that I was not allowed to document," according the the Going Postal blog.      Three stars on Yelp. 
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

127th & Morningside [NE Corner] (May 6, 2012)

Lara has one Yelp review:  "Always friendly. Has the most adorable cats. Reasonable prices!"

17th & Broadway [NW Corner] (April 29, 2012)

Union Square Park, Northwest Corner          CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Andy Warhol Statue                                  CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE