New TKTS Booth and Duffy Square - by John Choi and Tai Ropiha / Perkins Eastman

[brianac]

This is obviously very popular and you have captured the mood perfectly.

Thanks Zippy.

[ablarc]

If he were with us, Vincent Scully would have a field day with this place. Overnight it's become New York's premiere public space; and it looks suspiciously like a traffic island at the intersection of two highways. Given his predilections, you can imagine what he would have to say.

Btw, I think it's pretty neat. Worth the wait.




Hope there's no structural collapse.

[ZippyTheChimp]

An entirely different, yet somewhat similar, experience than Columbus Circle.

[ablarc]

I flashed this on my computer screen to show my wife, who is nearsighted without her glasses:

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7435/tkts05ov5.jpg

"Aha!" she exclaimed, "It's China!"

[Fabrizio]

If there can be a Naked Cowboy, I am seriously thinking about becoming the Naked Usherette.

[Peteynyc1]

42nd Street between 7th and 8th had to be closed last nite for the second weekend in a row due to gang or mob like activity.

[lofter1]

Back to the '80s !!!

[NYC4Life]

Not sure what's worse, the mob or being stopped in front of the Virgin Megastore to buy underground cd's.

[antinimby]

Hope there's no structural collapse.Now you've given Al Quaeda an idea. :(

Anyway, I've a long time ago proposed bollards running around the peripheral but apparently the planners does not think they're necessary.

[antinimby]

Once this place becomes more well-known around the world and word of its success spreads, watch for copycat square projects popping up in other cities.

[ramvid01]

I visited it for the first time yesterday and was very impressed. A great addition to the Times Square area. :D

[antinimby]

If there can be a Naked Cowboy, I am seriously thinking about becoming the Naked Usherette.That place is also a bit of a pick up spot, believe it or not. I swear I was there for only about an hour and got a few flirtatious glances. :o

(But then again, I tend to got a lot of those in quite a few other places as well, so...)

[ablarc]

Is Father Duffy perhaps misplaced?

[Fabrizio]

The Father's full name was: Francis P. Duffy.

They called her Fran.

[antinimby]

Is Father Duffy perhaps misplaced?Not at all. At first I thought so too but when you're there in person, the statue doesn't get in the way too much.

He acts like a welcoming figure/guard for the staircase, very much in the same way as Teddy Roosevelt's statue at the Natural History Museum or Washington at Federal Hall or even the Lions at the NYPL.

[Fabrizio]

or like the crazy topless lady tossing out the garbage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pomona_GAP_jeh.JPG

[lofter1]

D'ya think she ^ had 20,000 people (http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1999/04/07/1999-04-07_father_duffy__god_and_country.html) at her funeral?

[Kris]

New TKTS booth brings something different to New York’s most famous junction

Following the largest design competition in New York City’s history, the new TKTS project, designed by Choi Ropiha, opened in Times Square on the 16th of October. The brief was to redesign a classic New York icon, the TKTS booth at the centre of Times Square, which the winning entry not only accomplished, but also went further by reframing the structure as an urban design project. The design philosophy behind this choice stemmed from the fact that the original booth was one of New York’s great gathering points, and a focal point for urban theatre, yet there was nowhere for people to sit and soak in the ambience.

The designers responded to this by structuring the top of the new booth as a terrace, with a series of tiered red translucent steps forming the seating, with the new booth housed underneath. This tiered seating was then lit from below, causing it to give off a warm glow at night and giving the TKTS a strong visual presence in the already visually charged context of Times Square. The new design also frames the existing statue of Father Duffy, providing a public space where visitors and customers can stop and absorb the striking ambience of the area.

One of the jurors for the competition, Tucker Viemeister, believes the new TKTS booth to be a welcome addition to the visually frenetic environment, “It goes beyond meeting the criteria [of the competition] and is even poetic, which is really hard considering the Times Square environment. It will become a landmark.”

Following on from the competition, the concept has been developed and progressed to construction by architects Perkins Eastman (responsible for the booth design) and William Fellows Architects (responsible for the plaza design). Through their input, the concept has evolved to become an exceptional bespoke glass structure sitting on an expanded open plaza.

John Edwards
WAN Editorial

http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/10523_5_Kohi5.jpg

http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/10523_1_Kohi1.jpg

http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/10523_4_Kohi4.jpg

http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/10523_2_Kohi2.jpg

http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/10523_3_Kohi3.jpg

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=10523

[antinimby]

An older article but one in which there is some good technical information (italicized paragraph)...


New Duffy Square TKTS Booth Takes Final Step Into Reality

http://www.playbill.com/images/photos/tktsbooth200.jpg
The new TKTS booth


By Robert Simonson
16 Oct 2008 (http://www.playbill.com/features/article/122366.html)

On Oct. 16, at around noon, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said a few words and cut a ribbon. And with that, Duffy Square's TKTS booth invited Broadway theatregoers to gather and buy half-price tickets at a permanent location for the first time in nearly three years.

http://www.playbill.com/images/photos/tktsopening225a.jpg
Mayor Bloomberg at the opening of
Father Duffy Square and TKTS booth


The booth's function remains the same — to provide the public with cheap tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway attractions. Its form, however, is something else altogether. Gone are the familiar canvas banners emblazoned with red letters reading "TKTS." In its place is a glowing red staircase 27 steps high and a fiberglass ticket office that looks something like space module. While some may miss the old banners (which have been donated to the Museum of the City of New York), other eliminated elements of the old booth with probably not be mourned, including: the paucity of sidewalk space; the staff's inability to take credit cards; the lack of anywhere to sit; and the cramped booth itself.

The new design was the result of an international competition in 1999. The winning entry was devised by Australians John Choi and Tai Ropiha.
Their concept was then realized by the architects at the New York firm of Perkins Eastman into what TDF is calling "the most complex all-glass structure in the world."

"We had to marry the booth, the plaza, the statues [of Father Duffy and George M. Cohan] and have something that reflected the vocabulary of Times Square, but didn't compete with it," explained TDF executive director Victoria Bailey during a recent tour of the site. "That's what's nice about the glowing red staircase. It's there, it's the same idea, but it's not flashing itself, like the neon signs."

First things first: about those much-discussed steps, which were engineered by Dewhurst Macfarlane and Partners.

There are 27. They seat up to 500 people. Like much else of the structure, they are made of layers of thick glass, together with a red inlay to create the color. The steps are flecked with little silver bits called frets. These prevent a person from slipping, even when the steps are wet. The staircase will likely be lit at all times, but the red glow is not perceptible during the daylight hours, unless it is an overcast or misty day. The steps, using geothermal-based heating and cooling technology, will be slightly warmed during the winter months, to prevent the surface from icing over, and cooled in the summer so that the stairs don't become unbearably hot from constant exposure to the sun's rays.

The staircase will probably be closed late at night, just as any city park might. During its public hours, however, TDF will not frown on loitering. Citizens are welcome to take a seat, even have lunch on the steps. The perch will no doubt be a popular one, if only because of the expansive, all-encompassing view it affords of Times Square. "This is a view you didn't have before unless you were in one of these buildings" around the Square, said Bailey.

Duffy Square itself is a much bigger place than many will remember. The plaza, which was designed by Williams Fellows Architects, a New York-based architecture and interior design firm, is 115 percent larger than before; TDF claimed a car lane on either side of the square for the project. Tables and chairs similar to those found in Bryant Park and Herald Square will be placed at south end of the square. Bailey thinks the expansion will alter the nature of Times Square, which has never really functioned as a space for the public to pause in repose.

"Nobody ever came here before who didn't intend to buy a ticket," she said. "I think it will only heighten that town-meeting gathering feeling. You'll have a public gathering-area that's distinct from the booth. We'll be able to handle lines — and people who aren't on line — at the same time. There's nowhere else in Times Square for people to gather."

Life will improve for the ticket-sellers as well. The fiberglass booth, which has smooth, rounded corners and sits below the red staircase, was built by the Rhode Island-based Merrifield-Roberts, which is known for constructing America's Cup yachts. Indeed, the structure has a slightly maritime feel; the window in the back door is in the shape of a porthole. One imagines that, if flung into New York Harbor, it would float. "It's purpose-built, as opposed to a trailer that you turn into a booth," said Bailey.

Inside, each seller station is equipped with a computer and a ticket printer. With such technology, the booth can now take credit cards. A long last, theatregoers will not have to line up with hundreds of dollars stuffed in their pockets. "In the old days we didn't have the technology," explained Bailey. "The credit card technology was so slow, and we had 4,000 people an afternoon. If you even add ten seconds for every person, it makes a difference."

There are now 12 windows, sitting under a thick, red glass canopy, allowing for the lines on either side of the booth to move more quickly. TDF has hired two extra people to handle the extra flow.

Bailey is obviously proud of the TDF's new creation, from its unique glass architecture — in which thick glass walls and diagonally poised glass "stringers" actually serve load-bearing functions — to the way in which the booth tames the giganticism of Times Square, serving as a reminder that a city is not just about buildings, but the people who use them.

"This is an example of what you can do with streetscape space and intelligent design," Bailey said, adding that, traditionally, architectural considerations are usually about the building, not the sidewalks.
"Now it's about the pedestrians," she said.


http://www.playbill.com/images/photos/tktsboothopening460.jpg
An aerial view of the new TKTS booth in Times Square


Copyright © 2008 Playbill, Inc.

[antinimby]

A before and after...

http://www.archidose.org/Blog/tkts1.jpg

http://www.playbill.com/images/photos/tktsboothopening460.jpg

[Alonzo-ny]

Great architecture.

[NYC4Life]

A vast improvement from the previous booth.

[meesalikeu]

i was over there today and had the camera. here are the steps "in action."

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/meesalikeu2/b86c60de.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/meesalikeu2/8c131a13.jpg http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/meesalikeu2/72d8b911.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/meesalikeu2/119a3e3e.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/meesalikeu2/cbb6ace1.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/meesalikeu2/a59b9cbc.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/meesalikeu2/d712b0fd.jpg

[antinimby]

Can anyone spot the Naked Cowboy crossing 7 Ave. in one of those pics?

(I'm guessing he must be on the way to taking a bathroom break over at the McDonald's).

[JSsocal]

hehe there he is in the fifth photo. I wonder if that's his only job...;)

[meesalikeu]

*whistling* oh you can bet i saw him that day :D

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/meesalikeu2/c9c306f0.jpg

i took one of him with elvis too, but it didn't come out. now that would have really been a sight. ah well.

[brianac]

Not a spare seat on the steps in Duffy Square.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z245/brianaclift/Others/ncg1.jpg

Looks like this was taken before the new Duffy Square was started.

[NYC4Life]

A hot girl barely getting any attention. I remember that Cingular billboard very well.

[smackfu]

I wonder if the LED boards that list the shows were just moved over instead of buying new ones? I hope so, because there are already a bunch of burned out pixels, and it's surprisingly hard to tell a 3 from a 5 in some cases.

The steps are great though. I like how it gives you a bit of height, although on Sunday morning the top step was full of people with digital SLRs all taking the exact same photo. Heh.

[antinimby]

because there are already a bunch of burned out pixels, and it's surprisingly hard to tell a 3 from a 5 in some cases.It's intentional. To make it look like it's been there a long time. ;)

[NYC4Life]

Went up the stairs today, quite a tourist attraction. However, the roof panels at the very top already have gum sticking on to it :(

[antinimby]

Well, now we know that the glass support can indeed hold up the weight of the staircase filled with people with ease.

From last night and the election...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/3005627620_98d91407b4.jpg?v=0 (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/3005627620_98d91407b4_b.jpg)
pantufla82 (http://flickr.com/photos/pantufla82/3005627620/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/3005628372_4d05d8e7b3.jpg?v=0 (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/3005628372_4d05d8e7b3_b.jpg)
pantufla82 (http://flickr.com/photos/pantufla82/3005628372/)

[JSsocal]

ooh, I can already sense the people putting scratch-graffiti, the gum, all in the glass, those cleaning machines better be good.

[NYC4Life]

That must be one strong type of glass.

[kz1000ps]

Two great new public spaces added to Midtown in three years time (Columbus Circle being the other)... that's about as good as it gets. Next time I'm in the city I'm making a beeline for here.

[MidtownGuy]

I was in Times Square last night and grabbed a few shots of the new TKTS stairs and plaza. People obviously love this place. It just makes so much sense, to have a place to sit in the middle of all the action.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3358802514_d9ff143e2d_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3357985629_ac6920b29a_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3357985299_4797f81a59_o.jpg


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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3613/3357986021_547b3a1fb1_o.jpg

[Fabrizio]

Nice shots!

(off topic: how's the site going?)

[MidtownGuy]

Thanks. The site is OK, but developing slower than I'd like; I've been busy with other work. Then there's the fact that I keep changing things as I learn more about coding and web design, plus I'm trying to merchandise it properly and populate it with more designs and photos so I can eventually live off of it. Parts of it are still a mess and too incomplete. I hope I can comfortably show it soon.

[brianac]

Welcome back MTG, and thanks for the Times Square shots.

[MidtownGuy]

Thanks brianac.
Times Square is so much better with places where you can sit down for a minute! There was no such thing before, and it's really fun to sit for a moment and watch the reaction of tourists. I'm anxious to see how the recently announced plans for wider pedestrian areas will further improve the experience.

[smackfu]

So, isn't it interesting that they spent millions creating a public space in Times Square... and then they closed Broadway, creating a huge public space for next-to-nothing? There seem to be a lot more people using the lawn chairs than sitting on the steps.

[BrooklynRider]

The city and economy have changed drastically since the TKTS was first proposed and then approved. The stairs still offer a choice photo stop and a center to the square.

I'm quite happy to see the city reclaim roads for pedestrians and bicycles. The sidewalks in New York cannot handle the pedestrian capacity. When this happens roads are widened. I'm very pleased to see it with sidewalks and most encouraged by the additional bike lanes. If we could build dedicated bike paths as they have in Amsterdam - all the better.

[BrooklynLove]

I'm quite happy to see the city reclaim roads for pedestrians and bicycles. ... If we could build dedicated bike paths as they have in Amsterdam - all the better.

I second that emotion - very happy with this trend. And the civil engineer in me smiles at the counterintuitive resulting improvement of auto traffic flow. If Bloomberg gets reelected I think we'll see more and more of this.

[MidtownGuy]

There seem to be a lot more people using the lawn chairs than sitting on the steps.

Those pictures are misleading. They are not recent photos, that was much colder weather.

I can tell you that the stairs are now packed with seated people and are the biggest attraction in Times Square. You must look a few moments in order to find a place they are so crowded. Not just with tourists either.

A neighbor and I sit there quite often when we go for a walk and the scene is unbelievable- the way it encourages people to interact. On a recent night, nearly the whole steps erupted in "Happy Birthday" to a girl after her boyfriend shouted his request up to the crowd. Tourists and locals are mixing in a new way. It's a unique place in New York... to experience it oneself will make the cynical doubt evaporate.

I think this plaza and stairs are one of the best recent projects in New York. It certainly provides a scene as entertaining to sit and watch as you'll find anywhere in the world.

The street closures are brilliant too. They are changing something about New York in a positive way for once.

I have lots of new photos of the stairs and improved Times Square that I will post soon.

[kz1000ps]

MidtownGuy, I experienced the same thing when I was there a week ago. Both the stairs and chairs were being used extensively.

[ZippyTheChimp]

Gives a piece of Times Square back to natives.

[lofter1]

These guys (http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/2004/06/13/nyregion/thecity/movi583.jpg)?

[BrooklynLove]

And these guys:
http://cinemaretro.com/uploads/deathwish.jpg

[lofter1]

All the glass-covered light fixtures imbedded in the surface of the square here were recently replaced by non-illuminated slabs of lighter colored stone -- the pattern within the pavement remains, but the high tech stuff beneath the feet at street level are gone.

[antinimby]

There weren't that many illuminated slabs to begin with, so now they're getting rid of the few that was there?

That sucks.

Typical New York for you. Everything starts out nice but over time, things get crappier and crappier.

[Derek2k3]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/5442564026_e700d75c84_b.jpg
Large: antonkisselgoff (http://www.flickr.com/photos/antonkisselgoff/5442564026/sizes/l/in/photostream/)





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Large: antonkisselgoff (http://www.flickr.com/photos/antonkisselgoff/5439525619/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

[futurecity]

That square barclays on top of that tower could be Ginza or Shinjuku.