290 Mulberry at Houston - by SHoP Architects

**MidtownGuy** · April 4th, 2009, 11:23 AM

The bottom-floor retail space is earmarked for a bank.

Well of COURSE it is.

Like nearly every new building going up. I'm actually beginning to hope all Manhattan development comes to a screeching halt. Yup, I said it.

I don't care about having a long list of new projects anymore. I don't care about textured bricks, sloping or undulating glass, or any other fancy new development anymore. I just want the banks to stop taking over every single corner, and until they stop then I can do without a single new building. If they can't or won't lease these new spaces to businesses that provide food, leisure, or useful retail then I really don't care anymore what's happening on the floors above. What happens at ground level matters most to my personal life. Time to get really selfish here. And I don't care who agrees or disagrees. Aesthetics be damned! Give me an ugly deli! Or a time-worn saloon!
If all these lousy, life-sucking banks are doing so badly then why on earth are they still swallowing up every corner in town?

And I'm STILL pissed about the block-long Chase branch that swallowed up Astor Place... as far as I'm concerned, every window of that sterile block killer should be smashed.
I hate them.
Now, a deeeeep breath.

**ablarc** · April 4th, 2009, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by MidtownGuy

I just want the banks to stop taking over every single corner[/B]

So that's what they're doing with the bailout money!

**TREPYE** · April 5th, 2009, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by brianac

DORIS DIETHER, THE CRUSADING co-chair of Community Board 2’s landmarks committee who still wears red lipstick at 80, thinks SHoP may have stretched the rules too far. In her Waverly Street basement apartment.....

Copyright The New York Observer.

Visual definition of a NIMBY.

**infoshare** · April 5th, 2009, 02:22 PM

V Good one (LOL) But, I think in this case shoP was simply "convention-busting" not 'rule stretching'.

Excerpt from article - http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showpo...&postcount=114
The 13-year-old SHoP has amassed a portfolio of convention-busting buildings, from the zinc-panel Porter House in Chelsea to a design for the South Street Seaport's Pier 17 reminiscent of toothpick structures from elementary school. This time, they were working within zoning constrictions that dictated the facade be constructed “predominantly of masonry.” The SHoP solution: high-tech molds into which bricks were set at precise angles, creating non-structural panels that lead architect Corie Sharples calls a “wrapper.”

P.S. There are a few good photos of the penthouse exterior and some photos of the interiors as well: enjoy.

http://www.coregroupnyc.com/en/new-d...t,4,ND_11.html

**Derek2k3** · April 7th, 2009, 11:28 AM

Though I like the building, it doesn't leave me the impression that it's made of bricks. They look like prefabricated textured panels.

This art piece at 1 Union Square South has a similar look, though in this case, no bricks were even used.

**ZippyTheChimp** · April 7th, 2009, 11:59 AM

I have a picture of this with George Washington, but I can't find it.

**ZippyTheChimp** · April 7th, 2009, 12:09 PM

Thank you Google.

**NYatKNIGHT** · April 7th, 2009, 01:06 PM

Ah yes, GW adjusting the volume.

**Derek2k3** · April 18th, 2009, 08:53 PM

**BrooklynRider** · April 19th, 2009, 12:31 AM

Great photos today, Derek. Thanks!

**ablarc** · April 25th, 2009, 08:27 AM

Very nice, but put a deli on the ground floor.

**lofter1** · April 25th, 2009, 10:16 AM

290 Mulberry looks good standing tall by itself. It may remain a loner for some time, as the project two doors down at 49-51 E Houston seems stalled, with no work taking place on that site since the demo of the prior building there year ago.

**jj4003** · July 16th, 2009, 12:15 AM

Any updates on what tenant will be located on the ground floor?

**infoshare** · July 16th, 2009, 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by jj4003

......... what tenant will be located on the ground floor?

No word as of yet; but rumor has it that it will be some sort of SHoP.

**londonlawyer** · July 16th, 2009, 11:19 AM

I like this building.

It would be nice if the dumpy tenements on the left side of the photo were restored. They could be beautiful like the one building on the right that was not mangled.

They must be rent-regulated, and the owner lacks the funds or the desire to maintain them. It's a shame that in NY, so many buildings are kept in such poor shape.