Page 179 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New York City

UPPER MID T OWN  177

inhabitants. It was known as Building on Fifth Avenue (see p123).
Minnahannock by the local The Fuller Building is a hive of
Native Americans, until owner- exclusive art galleries, most
ship passed on to the English of which are open to the public
farmer, Robert Blackwell, in 1686. on weekdays.
Although it became known as
Welfare Island in 1921, much of
the island was deserted and
forgotten by the 1950s. It was Bloomingdale’s, the popular
redeveloped in the 1970s, and department store
eventually became a popular
residential neighborhood. Today, o Bloomingdale’s
it boasts a breezy promenade 1000 3rd Ave. Map 13 A3.
with fabulous views of Midtown. Tel (212) 705-2000. q 59th St.
Since 1976, a Swiss cable car Open 10am–8:30pm Mon–Sat,
departing from Second Avenue 11am–7pm Sun. See Shopping p313.
at 60th Street, has offered a ∑ bloomingdales.com
quick, thrilling ride across the
river, with the F subway line For a while in the booming 1980s,
servicing the island. “Bloomies” was synonymous with
the good life. Founded by Joseph
and Lyman Bloomingdale in 1872,
i Franklin D. this famous department store French Renaissance-style facade of the
Roosevelt Four had a bargain-basement image Plaza Hotel
Freedoms Park until the 3rd Avenue El (elevated a Plaza Hotel
railway) was taken down in the
1 FDR Four Freedoms Park, Roosevelt 1960s. Then came the store’s 5th Ave & Central Park South.
Island. Map 14 D5. Tel (212) 204-8831. transformation to the epitome of Map 12 F3. q Fifth Ave-59th St.
q Roosevelt Island. Open Apr–Sep: trendy, sophisticated shopping. ∑ theplazany.com
9am–7pm Mon & Wed–Sun; Oct– But the late 1980s brought new
Mar: 9am–5pm Mon & Wed–Sun. ownership and eventual bank- The city’s grande dame of
∑ fdrfourfreedomspark.org ruptcy. While not as flashy as in the hotels was designed by Henry
past, Bloomingdale’s is open every J. Hardenbergh, known for
At the southern end of Roosevelt day and remains one of the city’s the Dakota (see p212) and
Island is the Franklin D. Roosevelt best-stocked stores. Downtown the original Waldorf-Astoria.
Four Freedoms Park, designed shoppers can head to the SoHo Completed in 1907 at the
by architect Louis Kahn in the location, at 504 Broadway. exorbitant cost of $12.5 million,
1970s but only completed in the Plaza was proclaimed “the
2012. With 120 linden trees lining best hotel in the world,” with
the park, the triangular expanse p Fuller Building 800 rooms, 500 baths, a two-
ends with a bronze portrait of the 41 E 57th St. Map 13 A3. James story ballroom, five marble
32nd president. Nearby, there Goodman Gallery. Tel (212) 593-3737. staircases, and 14- to 17-room
is an engraving of his “four Open 10am–5:30pm Mon–Fri. apartments for such families
freedoms” on slabs of granite. q 59th St. as the Vanderbilts and the
In a speech from 1941, these Goulds (see p51).
four tenets were described as This slim-towered black, gray, The 18-story cast-iron
the freedom of speech, freedom and white 1929 beauty by Walker structure resembles a French
of worship, freedom from & Gillette is a prime example of Renaissance château. Much
want, and freedom from fear. geometric Art Deco design. The of the interior decoration came
striking statues on either from Europe. The Palm Court
side of the clock above still has mirrored walls and
the entrance are by Elie Italian carvings of the four
Nadelman. Step inside seasons, and is a lovely place
to admire the for afternoon tea.
intricate Already lavishly restored by
mosaic tile its former owner Donald Trump,
floors; one the building underwent a
panel shows $400-million conversion in 2005,
the Fuller and is now a mix of apartments,
Company’s hotel condominiums, and a
former 282-room hotel. There are also
home in six floors of luxury retail and
the famous upscale dining, including a
The clock statues above the Fuller Building entrance Flatiron gourmet food hall.

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