AT&T's Parthenon
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The owner's plans for the lobby of 195 Broadway, a candidate for landmark status, call for it to be open to the public.
January 20, 2006
So, You Think You Can See a Landmark?
By DAVID W. DUNLAP
Sightseers are not allowed in the Woolworth Building lobby, far left, and public access is limited in the 346 Broadway clock tower room; the City Hall lobby, second from right; and the Tweed Courthouse interior.
Old Pennsylvania Station was "vast enough to hold the sound of time," Thomas Wolfe said. The lobby of the old AT&T headquarters at 195 Broadway in Lower Manhattan was easily vast enough to hold the sounds of the 20th century.
What will happen to it in the 21st? "This is going to become some kind of public space," said the building's new owner, David W. Levinson. City officials hope to make the lobby a landmark. Robert B. Tierney, the chairman of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, said configuring the lobby for the greatest public access is a crucial point in discussions with Mr. Levinson and his architect.
If the space at 195 Broadway, with its forestlike rows of Doric columns, does end up opening its doors that freely, it will be in sharp contrast to most of the 14 existing interior landmark spaces downtown. Few welcome casual visitors.
Interior landmarks are defined as spaces "customarily open or accessible to the public, or to which the public is customarily invited." But the law does not discuss what happens when tenants move or owners try to cope with post-9/11 fears.
This reporter set out on Jan. 9 to see what luck he would have visiting the interior landmarks downtown. He showed up unannounced at each place, in the garb of a history-minded visitor - spectacles, old Harris tweed jacket, button-down shirt, bow tie, thick-soled shoes (actually, he dresses like that every day) - with a copy of the official Guide to New York City Landmarks tucked under one arm.
He was allowed to walk through just one space without undergoing a search. Two buildings admitted him after scanning him. He was allowed to glimpse a couple of lobbies and sneaked a peek at another. At two buildings, he was told firmly to leave.
"People should, in a nondisruptive way, be able to see these treasures," Mr. Tierney said. "I have a very specific interest, as the chairman of the commission, to try to make that happen where possible, through the powers of persuasion." But he acknowledged that security made that more complicated.
These are the interior landmarks, ranked roughly by accessibility.
FORMER AT&T LONG DISTANCE BUILDING, 32 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS Security turnstiles are located at the elevator banks rather than the main entrance. Without having to go through a scanner, a visitor was welcomed by the guards to spend time looking at Jazz Age mosaics showing the continents linked by golden telephone strands, though he was told photos were not allowed. Later, William C. Rudin, the landlord, said the Rudin Management Company tried to balance tenant safety and property protection with public access. "It's a tough call," he allowed.
FORMER UNITED STATES CUSTOM HOUSE, BOWLING GREEN Now the National Museum of the American Indian, it welcomed a visitor, but made him walk through a magnetometer. The reward was the vast rotunda with murals of New York Harbor by Reginald Marsh.
NEW YORK COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 60 CENTRE STREET After going through a magnetometer, a visitor could linger under the vividly restored mural around the dome, "Law Through the Ages," by Attilio Pusterla. The pleasure was enhanced by being in a working environment that still serves the purpose for which it was built.
FORMER NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY BUILDING, 346 BROADWAY A visitor could take in the small marble lobby, but was told by a guard that the space of greatest interest, the clock tower machinery room, was closed except on Wednesdays.
FORMER WESTERN UNION BUILDING, 60 HUDSON STREET A guard allowed a visitor to stand outside the turnstiles and gaze down the long lobby with its glowing brick vaults. He cautioned that photos were not permitted.
CITY HALL Turning away a visitor, a police officer on duty at the Broadway gate explained pleasantly that tours are offered. "All you have to do is call 311," he said.
TWEED COURTHOUSE, 52 CHAMBERS STREET A guard at this building, now headquarters of the Department of Education, said a tour could be arranged by calling 311.
SURROGATE'S COURT, 31 CHAMBERS STREET A private guard shook her head when asked about a visit. "You have to have a purpose to be admitted," she said. Later, Martha K. Hirst, the commissioner of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, said her agency would revise its instructions to the guards "so they understand visitors interested in seeing the lobby area as a landmark can be welcomed."
FORMER EMIGRANT INDUSTRIAL SAVINGS BANK, 51 CHAMBERS STREET The main hall, scene of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's inauguration party, is closed. But Ms. Hirst said, "We certainly may be able to work out a way in which folks can see or tour it."
FORMER NATIONAL CITY BANK AND MERCHANTS' EXCHANGE, 55 WALL STREET Now a banquet hall operated by the Cipriani family, it is generally closed. This visitor walked in, unchallenged by any workers, while the hall was being readied for an event.
FEDERAL HALL NATIONAL MEMORIAL, WALL STREET "Closed for reconstruction," a sign says on the padlocked doors.
FORMER CUNARD BUILDING, 25 BROADWAY The Postal Service has moved out. The doors are locked.
VERIZON HEADQUARTERS, 140 WEST STREET A guard approached in 16 seconds. "Unfortunately, we're not allowed to let visitors right now," he said, not even to stand at the entrance and gaze at the painstakingly restored ceiling murals. Asked if the landmark would ever be open for tours, he said, "Probably in the future."
WOOLWORTH BUILDING, 233 BROADWAY Its mosaic-encrusted Byzantine-Gothic lobby is "among the most spectacular of the early 20th century in New York," the landmarks guide says - and among the most zealously patrolled. A sidewalk sign seen in the past, "Tourists Are Not Permitted Beyond This Point," was not on display this day. But a guard intercepted the visitor a mere 12 seconds after he set foot inside.
Guard: "Excuse me. You have to exit out. There's no sightseeing."
Visitor: "I'm sorry?"
Guard: "You have to exit out. There's no sightseeing."
Visitor: "There's no sightseeing?"
Guard: "No."
Visitor, showing the official landmarks guide: "Oh, but this -"
Guard: "I know what it says, but it's wrong. You have to exit, please."
Visitor: "Oh, it's not a landmark? No? It's not a landmark?"
Guard: "It's a private office building."
Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company
Originally Posted by Ninjahedge
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