Seagram Building

This New York landmark was designed by Philip Johnson, developed by Joseph Seagram's & Sons and the main architect was Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Completed in 1958, this was Mies dream come true; in it he has delivered his vision of simplicity and clarity. This was a time when construction jobs were difficult to get. The 38 storey International Style tower was later to become the most copied office building. architecture

Upon completion, Seagram became the world's most expensive skyscraper. The steel structure of the architecture is covered with tinted bronze glass. The construction used the most expensive materials and construction equipment. The use of bronze, travertine- a sedimentary rock and expensive green marble added to the construction cost and resulted in a work later celebrated as a city landmark.

Onsite, you can find the famous Four Seasons Restaurant, also designed by Mies and Johnson. You can still enjoy a meal in the 1959 ambience. The front space of the building is used as a gathering area and in the holiday season you can join the festive mood here. The city adapted and promoted the idea of "privately owned public spaces" from Seagram and advised other builders to come up with such spaces.

Seagram's facade reflects a calm sense of strength. Inside you will find 800,000 square feet of office space, Picasso art and fine dining options. Onsite, you can find the famous Four Seasons Restaurant (212-754-9494), also designed by Mies and Johnson. You can also enter the restaurant from the 52nd street. You can still enjoy a meal in 1959 ambience at the same place where JFK's 46th birthday party was celebrated. You will have to don a jacket and the ladies have to be formally dressed too. While you are at the Seagram Building, go down to the Brasserie Restaurant in the basement. From this 24x7 spot, you can exit onto 53rd street.

Neighboring architectural landmarks include St. Patrick's Cathedral, The Villard Houses at the New York Plaza Hotel and the Trump Tower.

Location: On Park Avenue between 52nd & 53rd Street

Trains: 6 to 51st Street; E or F to Lexington Avenue.

Address:
375 Park Ave,
New York, NY 10022

Empire State Building NY NY

Empire State Building was preceded by Chrysler Building and surpassed by the World Trade Center as the world’s tallest building. Standing on prestigious Fifth Avenue, this is the country’s second tallest building after the destruction of the World Trade Center. With 102 stories the ESB soars more than a quarter mile into the Manhattan skyline.

Designed and built by architects Shreve, Lamb and Harmon at a cost of $41 million USD, the ESB has a classical facade and serves as home to more than a 1000 offices. The one year build time was outstanding at a speed of approx. 2 stories per week. After completion it had an equally spectacular opening ceremony on May 1, 1931, when US President Herbert Hoover turned on the building's lights all the way from the capital.

While you are there, go over to the observation decks on 86th and 102nd floors. With clearer skies you can see farther than 80 miles from the lower deck while the upper deck is smaller and closed on high traffic days. Get there in the morning when it is less crowded, or take in magical views at night.

The ESB has special lightening at special occasions when the top 30 stories are lit up by colored lights. The lobby serves as a host of colorful events through out the year. Banking, dining and shopping options are available on-site.

After you are done at the ESB, designers will like to walk down to the Bryant Park, see the historic Grand Central Terminal, while food lovers can explore the many dining options and voguish shops of fashionable Times Square.

At Toledo (212-696-5036) on 6 E 36th St, between 5th and Madison Avenues; you can meet with the business types enjoying Spanish and European cuisine. The cozy ambience and a refined setting makes it an outstanding neighborhood spot.


Hours:
Daily 8am-11:15pm

Admission:
Adult $18;
Senior and Student (12-17) $16;
Child (6-11) $12, under 5 Free

Credit Cards accepted:
Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express

Address:
350 Fifth Ave,
New York, NY 10118
Tel: (212) 736-3100

Location: On 5th and 34th St.

Trains:
6 to 33rd St;
B, D, F, N, Q, R to 34th St

Web address: http://www.esbnyc.com

Historic Hotel Architecture

Historic architecture can be admired at one of the historic hotels of New York. If you get a chance to visit New York do take in the moving experience. Most New York historic hotels are spacious and stylish. The sumptuous spaces are filled with art deco design touches that blend with the historical architecture. Most of these properties have an old world charm and elegance that gives them distinction. Some of these historic hotels have also served as home to several celebrities and eminent personalities from around the globe.

Waldorf Astoria is a world famous chain with properties that boast historic landmark buildings for a signature charm. The grand dame of art deco, The Waldorf Astoria soars 47 stories into the Manhattan sky. This 4 star luxury hotel seamlessly blends period charm with modern design touches. The hotel lobby has a distinct style both opulent and traditional. Located on the bustling Park Avenue, Waldorf sets new standards for luxury and privacy.

Those looking for a European charm in a prime location would like the historic
The Helmsley Park Lane. This New York Hotel is also one of the Leading hotels of the World. Their ball room is majestic and the open spaces are grand with polished floors and stylish design touches. The design flavor here is more European.

Another place that will interest deigners here is the Algonquin. This historic boutique hotel was built in 1902 and is a city landmark. At their Oak Room literary writers Dorothy Parker, James Thurber, George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber met in 1920s for their vicious circle discussions. The '20s style still echoes through out the lobby décor in the furnishing and the artifacts. Enjoy fresh seafood, roasted lamb and other delicacies at the in-house Round Table Restaurant while you are there.

Construction and masonry tiles

A concrete block is also called cement block or foundation block. It is a large rectangular brick commonly used in construction of homes and other buildings. For higher density, sand and fine gravel is mixed with cast concrete, i.e. Portland cement. While lower density blocks are made by using cinders instead of sand and fine gravel. These low density blocks are called cinder blocks in the US and in UK breeze blocks or clinker blocks. In clinker blocks bottom ash or clinker is used. Since concrete is a heavy building material; to reduce weight the blocks are built with hollow centers. This also helps to improve insulation.

A lot of contractors use blocks because they can be layered in designs.
For a hard, glossy finish these blocks can be coated with glaze used in pottery. This way you can also color the blocks to your choice while making them water resistant.

For contractors, where sanitation codes matter; these masonry blocks serve the best in the design and build of such places as car washes, pools, locker rooms, shower stalls and dining areas such as cafeterias and commercial kitchens.

Glazing such as that used for pottery can also be applied to concrete blocks, resulting in a hard, glossy finish on this construction material. This finish often can be made virtually any color and, with integral water repellents, can be made water-resistant, ideal for design use in homes.

This makes glazed masonry an ideal fit for building areas in which special attention must be paid to moisture issues and sanitation codes. This includes construction of car washes, pools, locker rooms, shower stalls and dining areas such as cafeterias and commercial kitchens.