Everyday I go to work in downtown Manhattan I pass what once was a dark
And dreary street a short distance away from Wall Street and in the heart of the financial district. This once dreary street is named Stone Street.When I first started working in downtown Manhattan in mid 1970 Stone street was a series of connected buildings all shuttered closed. There was no activity on Stone street then accept for a few moving vans that would load boxes into the seemingly deserted buildings. “Following decades of neglect, a joint partnership between the Landmarks Commission and other city agencies, the Alliance for Downtown New York and Stone Street owners has transformed Stone Street from a derelict back alley into one of Downtown's liveliest scenes. Restored buildings, granite paving, bluestone sidewalks and period street lights set the stage for the half dozen restaurants and cafes, whose outdoor tables are very popular on warm summer nights.”
Stone street is now a hip meeting place for lunch or dinner where the young Wall Street wiz kids meet. When I pass this street and witness the bustling trade that goes on both inside and outside the restaurants that make up most of Stone Street I start to realize that there is no new life in a once forgotten area of the financial district. This new life image makes me realize that maybe the dreary days are behind.
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Street_(Manhattan)
You provide a nice description above about the newly restored Stone Street! I haven't been to the city in awhile, but it is definitely a section I would like to visit next time I am there. It is hard to see those design elements you described in the picture which accompanies your post. I would love to see the "look" of the street in more detail, though I can tell from the picture you shared that this is one heck of a busy place!
ReplyDeleteI thought the newly attached picture will give one a better idea of Stone Street. The picture is one of outdoor tables and surrounding restaurants before the mid day and evening crowds descend upon the street for lunch, dinner and drinks. There are probably 12 restaurants that are connected in this relatively short street. However the colors and design of the building facades are seem to come nicely together. The outdoor café like experience reminds me of the outside cafes in Paris.
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice blend of historical buildings that have been rejuvenated to accommodate a hip restaurant crowd that are the new movers and shakers are Wall Street. This old historical block is surrounded by the newly constructed streets and avenues that primarily make up the NYC Financial district.
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