Favorite Historic Buildings or Places

[HanauMan]

This old empty garage occupies a prime space on the main street of town. It has a conservation order on it and is awaiting a new lease of life.

 

[HanauMan]

Following on from the conversation on social housing, Scotland also built these type of dwellings. These photos show the two entrances to a big oval apartment block built in the late 1940s, a good 20 or more years after the German and Austrian communes. Note the Deco figures above the entrances; the British continued with the Deco style into the 1950s, a long time after it died out elsewhere.



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[Fading Fast]

⇧ Great arch, wonderful buildings and not really much left to the imagination in those Deco figures.

 

[GHT]

I'm really glad the above building was saved and so thoughtfully restored.

You are right, but it takes someone with an eye to see through the dereliction. Back in the 1960's the UK had a dramatic pruning of the railway system, it resulted in lots of rural lines being ripped up and buildings demolished. But one couple, just like the couple who restored the garage, could see through the mess and weeds, and bought themselves an old rural railway station.

 

[HanauMan]

As I said earlier, I'm a Arts & Crafts kind of guy and two of my favorite buildings are in Arizona.




The Riordan Mansion is in Flagstaff and is a pure gem, both inside and out. Well worth a visit.



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[URL='https://flic.kr/p/266DpWR'][URL='https://flic.kr/p/266DpWR'][URL='https://flic.kr/p/266DpWR'][URL='https://flic.kr/p/266DpWR'][URL='https://flic.kr/p/266DpWR']On the southern rim of the Grand Canyon sits the El Tovar hotel. The dining room is a delight with its (probably non - PC) murals of Native Americans.[/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]

 

[Fading Fast]

Thought everyone would enjoy the below article from MarketWatch.

(I was surprised to learn that Grauman's Chinese Theatre was renamed TCL Chinese Theatre after it was bought by the Chinese company TCL Corporation in 2013. I get that companies want to put their name, their "brand," on things, but you would think there would be more value in keeping a world-wide famous name and doing something less obnoxious like calling it "Grauman's Chinese Theater: Presented by TCL Corporation," or something stupid like that.)

Nostalgia fix: These 9 stunning historic theaters still pack the house
Published: May 11, 2018 9:36 a.m. ET
By BARBARATWARDOWSKI and JIMTWARDOWSKI


Concerts, plays and more give these movie houses new life


This article is reprinted by permission from NextAvenue.org.

Americans love the movies. From the 1910s through the 1940s, palatial and ornate movie palaces popped up all across the country. Inspired by Hollywood, over-the-top architectural gems lured in the crowds three or four times a day with extra weekend showings. Designed to seat large audiences and primarily located in downtowns, hundreds of these magnificent theaters closed and were demolished when the economy declined and families moved to the suburbs.

Fortunately, however, some of these magnificent structures were preserved.

While most no longer show movies, they do host musicals, dramas, concerts, comedians, community events and more. These cathedrals of entertainment are treasures, and today’s audiences are transported to a magical place.

Here are nine impressive historic movie palaces still warmly welcoming new patrons

Alabama Theatre, Birmingham, Ala.

Alabama Theater
Alabama Theater
Paramount Studios built Alabama Theatre in 1927 to showcase its silent films, which were accompanied by Big Bertha — a Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. The theater’s architecture combines Spanish and Mission Revival with an opulent interior of mirrored walls, 8-foot candelabras, gilded coffered ceiling and Moorish arches.


In the early 1930s, children gathered every Saturday morning for the Mickey Mouse Club meetings. In 1935, the Club had more than 7,000 members and bragging rights to being the largest Mickey Mouse Club in the world.

This summer, audiences can watch “The Wizard of Oz,” “Dial M for Murder” and “Edward Scissorhands” in the historic movie palace.

Chicago Theatre, Chicago

Raymon_Sutedjo-The/Wikipedia
Chicago Theater
A prototype for all of the movie palaces in America, this 1921 gem designed in the French Baroque style features a miniature replica of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe on the exterior; the grand staircase is modeled after the one in the Paris Opera House. Reaching up seven stories, the auditorium seats 3,600 people.

Besides showing movies, the theater brought live entertainment by performers such as John Philip Sousa, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington to the Windy City.

Beaming a welcome to today’s audiences, the nearly six stories high “C-H-I-C-A-G-O” vertical marquee is a cherished landmark.

TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s Chinese Theatre) Hollywood, Calif.

Getty Images
Chinese Theater
A Hollywood and American icon, the pagoda-shaped roof rising 90-feet up in the air is supported by two coral red columns, and a 30-foot tall carved dragon sits between them. Opened in 1927, the theater contains imported pagodas, temple bells and stone Heaven Dogs.

Look for handprints and footprints of stars from yesterday and today in the Forecourt to the Stars. Each year, more than four million people visit this landmark theater, which is a popular venue for premiering new movies and has one of the largest IMAX auditoriums in the world.

Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee Theater
Tennessee Theater
The theater’s Moorish Revival design incorporates elements from all parts of the world: French-style chandeliers with Czechoslovakian crystals, Italian terrazzo flooring in the Grand Lobby and Asian influences in the carpet and drapery patterns.

Opened in 1928, the Tennessee Theatre created elaborate lobby displays to compliment the screenings. The stage has been doubled in size to accommodate the needs of a modern entertainment venue where audiences can see concerts, touring Broadway shows, and resident companies — the Knoxville Opera and Knoxville Symphony — perform.

Louisville Palace, Louisville, Ky.

GoToLouisville.com
Louisville Palace
In 1928, gilded mirrors, ornamental wall sconces, carved furniture, medieval-styled tapestries, four flowing water fountains and more than 500 statues filled the castle-like space, dazzling the patrons who welcomed the new theater. Ushers, dressed in cadet uniforms, bowed to each audience member as they were seated. Proud to be the only movie theater in town with cool air, ads promised the temperature inside would be a comfortable 70 degrees. Movie ticket prices for adults ranged from 25 to 65 cents.

The 2,600-seat theater still draws the crowds. While waiting in the Faces Lobby you can admire busts of Beethoven, Shakespeare and Socrates. Once inside, watch the twinkling stars on the ceiling align to the same formation they did during the grand opening.

State Theatre, Minneapolis
When State Theatre made its debut in 1921, one reporter called it “a gilded pleasure palace.” Designed in Italian Renaissance style, the stage floor was made of glass and illuminated from below to create sparkling special effects. The six chandeliers and murals are original.

A variety of live arts events — from touring Broadway musicals and concerts to comedy and dramas — are featured at the theater. Twice a month, tours of are offered for $5.

Fabulous Fox, St. Louis, Mo.

FabulousFox.com
The Fabulous Fox
Design elements inspired by Far Eastern, Moorish, Babylonian, Indian, and Egyptian themes came together in 1929 to create an imaginary place beyond the audience’s most fantastical dreams.

The 90-foot lobby with rows of flanking columns and terrazzo floor is reminiscent of a Buddhist monastery. Hand-stenciled walls, leather-lined elevators, a 2,000 pound chandelier, and marble bathroom fixtures were just a few of the ornate touches found in the new $5 million theater, which has undergone a variety of restorations over the years, the latest in 2013 when the ceiling was restored.

Today’s audiences can see Broadway shows, comedy acts, concerts, Vegas performances and classic movies. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, tours are offered.

Majestic Theatre, San Antonio
Patrons enter a fantasy villa inspired by Baroque, Spanish Mission and Mediterranean architecture. The walls are painted to look like towers with windows of colorful glass and grape vines creeping among the luscious foliage. Balconies, tile roofs, statues and a bell tower complete the transformation.

Built just a few months before the stock market crash in 1929, the Majestic was the second largest theater in the country. Not only did it show movies, but the Majestic also featured vaudevillian acts and stars such as Bob Hope, Jack Benny and George Burns.

Today, it’s home to Broadway Across America San Antonio, concerts, comedians and other live events. Spend an evening under the stars and clouds at this theater that’s just three blocks from the Alamo.

Tampa Theatre, Tampa, Fla.

Matthew Paulson/TampaTheater.org
The lobby of the Tampa Theater.
Still showing classic and first-run films, audiences step into a stunning Mediterranean courtyard. Before almost every film screening, music from the original Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ fills the auditorium. Occasionally the organ still accompanies a silent film.

For a close-up demonstration of the organ, sign up for the Balcony-To-Backstage Tour to learn more about this theater, built in 1926. One of Tampa’s largest preservation projects, it hosts more than 600 events each year.

Barbara and Jim Twardowski write about travel, lifestyle and boomer topics from the New Orleans area.

This article is reprinted by permission from NextAvenue.org, © 2018 Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

[1mach1]

The Cathedral of our Lady in Antwerp.

Started construction in 1352 and ended in 1521. It has never been 'completed', hence the one tower. It contains a number of significant works by the Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, as well as a to scale model of the Arc of the Covenant. Facinating.

Note: these are my phone pics. Not the best, but you get the Idea.

 

[vitanola]

Hmmm.

They made no mention of the second largest theater district in the country (after New York City's Broadway), Plaayhouse Square in Cleveland. Five original restored theaters ( The 3100 seat B. F. Keith's Palace, the 3500 seat Lowes State, the 1200 seat Lowes Ohio, the 2500 seat Allen and the 1400 seat Hanna) and two modern additions, all within one block. Here at a a few photos:
Palace:

 

[vitanola]

State:

 

[vitanola]

Lowe's Ohio Theater:

The lobby is a reconstruction, the original having been lost to a art deco remodelling in 1934 and an early 1960s fire.

 

[vitanola]

Hanna Theater:

Allen Theater:

 

[1mach1]

@vitanola Great images! Very nice.

 

[GHT]

For anyone who has a trip to London on their wish list, here's just a few of the iconic sights that you would see from the open top deck of a London tour bus. There are many more like The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, but I'm only allowed ten images per post. If you look up some thing like "famous London sights," or perhaps "A tourist guide to London," you will find a plethora of photos and descriptions. There's many a fascinating fact waiting to be discovered. For example, you are consulting the subway map, or London Underground, known as "The Tube," you see a station named: The Monument. Take a while and see it. You will discover a tower that's built two hundred and twelve feet high. Reason for that height is because if it laid down it would be 212 feet from the point where the great fire of London started in 1666, in a baker's shop, in pudding lane. You can climb it, all three hundred and eleven steps. Good luck.

The sights seen here are from top to bottom: Burlington Arcade, The British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Oxford Street, Paddington Station, The Royal Albert Hall, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge & The Tower of London. (You are allowed to walk across the upper beams of Tower Bridge, if you feel fit enough to climb the stairs.)

 

[1mach1]

For anyone who has a trip to London on their wish list, here's just a few of the iconic sights that you would see from the open top deck of a London tour bus. There are many more like The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, but I'm only allowed ten images per post. If you look up some thing like "famous London sights," or perhaps "A tourist guide to London," you will find a plethora of photos and descriptions. There's many a fascinating fact waiting to be discovered. For example, you are consulting the subway map, or London Underground, known as "The Tube," you see a station named: The Monument. Take a while and see it. You will discover a tower that's built two hundred and twelve feet high. Reason for that height is because if it laid down it would be 212 feet from the point where the great fire of London started in 1666, in a baker's shop, in pudding lane. You can climb it, all three hundred and eleven steps. Good luck.

The sights seen here are from top to bottom: Burlington Arcade, The British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Oxford Street, Paddington Station, The Royal Albert Hall, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge & The Tower of London. (You are allowed to walk across the upper beams of Tower Bridge, if you feel fit enough to climb the stairs.)

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Duly noted GHT. I have been to England, but never London (go figure). Thanks for the advice!

 

[Fading Fast]

One of my favorite things about living in NYC is that you run into incredible pre-war buildings just going about your day to day.

This morning, I went with SGF to the DMV to get her driver's license renewed.

Literally, right across the street - on a nondescript street and with no fanfare - were these two buildings.

The first was designed by the architect of the Woolworth building. It was impossible to get a full shot of the building; hence, the terrible first pic. When I got home, I looked on line and didn't find any great ones, but the last one of this building is from the web (the rest are mine from this morning):




The second incredible building - right next door - is this police precinct:

 

[Trenchfriend]

@fadingfast
Great pics!!

 

[vitanola]

The infamously derelict Michigan Central Depot in Detroit has been given a new lease on life. The Ford Motor Company has purchased it with the intention of renovating it for use as a new headquarters.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cl...-central-station-in-detroit-now-owned-by-ford

 

[Fading Fast]

View attachment 122191
The infamously derelict Michigan Central Depot in Detroit has been given a new lease on life. The Ford Motor Company has purchased it with the intention of renovating it for use as a new headquarters.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cl...-central-station-in-detroit-now-owned-by-ford

Very cool looking building and so glad it's getting a new lease on life.

This, from the article, is sad: "...in the subsequent years as a must-see destination for urban explorers, the homeless and scavengers, who picked it clean of anything valuable."

I used to walk through Grand Central Station in NYC during its worst years in the '80s - and it was in horrible disrepair and decay - but since it was always a functioning terminal, it fortunately never suffered the looting that Michigan Central Station did.

 

[Fading Fast]

New York City still has many old carriage houses like this one below that have been converted to other uses but that still retain much of their very cool fin de siecle exterior architecture. No surprise, but they are all located in what were (and, overall, still are) the less fashionable / regular-people areas adjacent to the wealthy areas. The wealthy areas are along famous named avenues like Park and Fifth Avenue; whereas, these carriage houses are located on or between the more plebeian-named 1st, 2nd and 3rd Avenues.

 

[Fading Fast]

Yesterday, we were in midtown and the girlfriend snapped a few pics of the Daily News Building lobby and the interior of Grand Central. So, these are evidence that they are still being loved - nice to see: