Return of the Waldorf next to St Bart's next to 345 Park
ru...@hotjazznyc.com
Hi Docents,
Hope you are doing well! Whether you read this or not, the point is you would be well rewarded by taking time to stroll through both the Waldorf & St Barts.
Here is a link to a booklet I will need to further explore, sent by a friend yesterday:
Architectural and decorative features of St. Bartholomew's Church in the city of New York
https://archive.org/details/architecturaldec00durs/mode/2up
Timing was amazing. I ALMOST walked in there yesterday. I was right next door for a while. It will take time to study that booklet!
Take a moment to think of all of the cool architecture on Park Avenue north of Grand Central Terminal. All are built over the switching rail yards for the Terminal.
200 Park Avenue, just north of GCT today from 44th -45th Streets is the ugliest building in the world, built as the Pan Am Building in 1962. Blocking views of architecture and sky effectively since then it was the largest office building in the world upon completion. Now the Met Life, still butt ugly.
From 45th to 46th streets, The New York Central built its headquarters using Warren & Whetmore’s beaux arts detailing and cupola in 1929. It straddles Park Avenue which runs through it with ramps leading down to Park Ave at 46th. Now the Helmsley, still gorgeous, still blocked views of it from the south by the Pan Am.
From 49-50th streets, 1931 Waldorf Astoria hotel & condominium residence at 301 Park Avenue, is a 47-story, 625 ft Art Deco landmark designed by architects Schultze & Weaver & completed in 1931. Was the world's tallest hotel until 1957. They had closed and been altering the building since 2017, and finally now have a soft opening to allow viewing of its iconic first floor spaces, where a World’s Fair Clock is near Cole Porter’s Steinway at Peacock Alley. (My attached photo from yesterday – I have more) The Ballroom is still under renovation.
Excellent photos & info here: https://newyorkyimby.com/2025/07/waldorf-astoria-reopens-after-restoration-partial-residential-conversion-in-midtown-east-manhattan.html
Cross 50th Street north and St Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church spans the block to 51st. Completed in 1930 as designed by Bertram Goodhue, it would not be the amazing structure that it is without lots of work by the Guastavino Tile & Arch Company, Hildreth Meiere, and Lee Lawrie. A walk to the Waldorf should include a visit here!
The block between 51st & 52nd is 345 Park Ave, today reopening with an American flag in front at half mast. This is where Manhattan suffered its worst mass murder for I think at least 25 years just one week ago today.
This evening, St Bart’s will hold a special healing service for the neighborhood at 6pm.
Footnote on Goodue in NYC – the 2 W 47th Street former studio where the Capitol had been designed is no longer level ground, it is a hole now, they have taken out yet another historic building located east of it, at the corner of 5th Ave & 47th. Expecting something massive, shiny and ugly to be erected by Extell. (photos available)
Warmest Regards,
Russ Dantzler
Hot Jazz Management & Production
326 West 43rd Street, Suite 3RC
New York NY 10036
212-586-8125 land line
646-460-2409 cell - texts here, EMAIL BEST
Ru...@HotJazzNYC.com www.HotJazzNYC.com
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