It's difficult to make a comparison due to the "new" trees lining this block. The brick facades have been replaced with subdued siding, and gas guzzling SUVs are popular...and they block the view as well.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Then and Now: 44th Street Between 4th and 5th Avenues
This block is now busy with cars working their way up to 5th Avenue or through to New Utrecht/Fort Hamilton Parkways. It's also busy with people coming home or going to work thanks to the nearby R train stop. In this 1952 photo, it looks bare but neat. I love the guy standing in front of his building with his hands on his hips. That is definitely something that hasn't changed.
It's difficult to make a comparison due to the "new" trees lining this block. The brick facades have been replaced with subdued siding, and gas guzzling SUVs are popular...and they block the view as well.
It's difficult to make a comparison due to the "new" trees lining this block. The brick facades have been replaced with subdued siding, and gas guzzling SUVs are popular...and they block the view as well.
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7 comments:
I love to see before & afters like these -too bad there aren't many old images of Sunset Park.
You really think the 1952 photo shows brick facades?
Yes, I do. What do you think it is? I don't pretend to be an expert in facades or old photos, so I'm eager to hear with what else the buildings might be covered.
faux brick asphalt (like shingles)
Looks like they might be cement or asbestos shingles, though it's pretty hard to tell.
It looks like asbestos siding to me. I think the siding people got to this block right after the war ended. Clues are the flatness around the doorways and windows, and the lack of cornices on the bays of 2 of 3 of the buildings. All the details were chopped off by the siding people.
I think you'd need a pic from the 30's to show the original facades.
Thanks for all the input. I guess I'm more optimistic than I thought.
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