Iwalked New York City’s P.J. Clarke’s

Iwalked New York City’s P.J. Clarke’s - P.J. Clarke’s is a historic New York City saloon which has serviced after work patrons and many more since 1884. The current restaurant/bar is named for one of its former owners, an Irish immigrant named Patrick J. Clarke. Clarke was not the original owner though. He spent approximately ten years working here before he acquired the business from the prior owners and renamed the saloon.
The building is rather nondescript looking as a two-story brick box, but it is the history that draws many patrons here. It was here that Buddy Holly first proposed to Maria Elena Santiago in 1958 on the couple’s first date. Other famous regulars have included Jackie Kennedy Onassis who would bring her children here for lunch, and Frank Sinatra who had his own designated table (number 20) for his frequent visits.

P.J. Clarke’s

P.J. Clarke’s building is a holdout from construction of the 47-story scraper which neighbors it at 919 Third Avenue. During the skyscraper’s construction in the late 1960’s the top two floors of P.J. Clarke’s had to be removed from its original four-story structure. Now inside the top floor (on the second level) is a separate semi-private dining area called the Sidecar. The Sidecar is a bit more formal than the ground floor bar which still features a historic flavor with its wood-paneled walls, tin ceiling and chalkboard menu. A relatively new addition to the ground level is its raw bar where you can now get fresh oysters. If oysters are not your thing, P.J. Clarke’s is best known for its bacon cheeseburger, suitably dubbed “The Cadillac.”

The historic saloon underwent some financial difficulties in early 2002 when it actually shut down for a period of time. Just when many feared that P.J. Clarke’s may go the way of other historic pubs such as Chumley’s, an investor group swooped in to save it just a year later. Amongst the names in the celebrity-ridden investment group were the likes of George Steinbrenner, Timothy Hutton and Bernie Madoff (prior to his 2008 arrest at least).
The locale here at 913 Third Avenue is the original P.J. Clarke’s location, although the saloon’s popularity has spawned a small franchise. Currently there are two additional locations here in New York (near Lincoln Center Plaza and the World Trade Center) and sites in Chicago, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., and Sao Paulo, Brazil. When asked about plans for further expansion in January 2010, its owners commented that no significant plans were underway although there is a potential Boston franchise on the horizon.

Lastly, those who frequent our tours know that we like to help our listeners recall instances of popular culture via sites visited on our walks. P.J. Clarke’s has both appeared and been referenced on multiple occasions as a popular watering hole in the television series Mad Men. Movie fans may recall a team of bartenders from P.J. Clarke’s in an intense competition versus the Coyote Ugly team in 2002. And hard core fans of the Dave Matthews Band may recognize an unreleased track from the 2005 album Stand Up, titled, “Stolen Away on 55th & 3rd.” This song is reportedly about a former love interest that Dave Matthews met in the bar.

• Website: http://pjclarkes.com/55-street-location.php


• Address: 913 Third Avenue, New York City, NY


• Cost: $$


• Hours: Mon-Sun 11:30 am – 3 am

Iwalked New York City's Friends Apartement

Iwalked New York City's Friends Apartement - Today’s destination at 90 Bedford Street, while home to a popular Mediterranean restaurant named The Little Owl, is best recognized to millions as the apartment where Rachel, Monica, Chandler and Joey lived for 10 seasons in the hit television series Friends. Although the exterior is viewable in nearly every episode, little else from the show was filmed in New York City. No interior shots were done here and even the famous intro which features the full cast frolicking within a fountain was filmed at the Warner Brothers studio in Hollywood (reportedly at 5am in the morning).

Friends Apartement

The comedy ran for 10 seasons (September 22, 1994-May 6, 2004) and 236 episodes. The series originally was known via a series of other names including, “Across The Hall”, “Insomnia Café”, “Six Of One”, “Once Upon A Time In The Village”, and “Friend Like Us.” The latter name was eventually shortened to its final name. When casting for the show began, Matt Le Blanc (who plays Joey Tribbiani) was desperate for the role as he was down to his last $11. He got off to a bit of a bad start though when the night before his audition he fell on his face after a long evening of drinking which left him with some tough to explain cuts and scabs.

All turned out well for our Friends though as the group of actors cast for the series became a close knit group in real life as well. Supposedly before filming the cast was known to hang out together and play Scrabble or poker to relax. One co-star who felt a bit intimidated and left out from the group’s tight bond was Tom Selleck. Selleck was reported as feeling a third (or seventh in this case) wheel when the cast would huddle together before each episode and he was left as a casual observer.

The impact of Friends on culture is still relevant and sometimes overlooked. Catch phrases such as Joey’s pick-up phrase, “How you doin’?” may still be heard at bar-time in most parts of the country. Less the show’s social impact was put to a real test via a linguistics professor at the University of Toronto. In his study the professor confirmed that the mannerism of Chandler Bing and his emphasis on the word “so” (aka-Friends is “so” the best comedy on television.) made this the most emphasized intensifier used in the English language. How many shows can say that?

Other quick hits and fun facts regarding Friends:

• Each twenty-two minute episode took approximately six hours to film.


• Courtney Cox originally auditioned for the part of Rachel before producers convinced her that she was more suited for Monica.


• David Schimmer was reportedly offered the lead role in Men In Black before he turned it down and the role was offered to Will Smith.

Iwalked New York City’s Paley Center For Media (Former Museum Of Television And Radio)

Iwalked New York City’s Paley Center For Media (Former Museum Of Television And Radio) - If the formal art museums such as the Museum of Modern Art are not your thing, then perhaps you may prefer a less formal museum setting such as the Paley Center for Media (formerly recognized as the Museum of Television and Radio). Inside visitors have access to nearly 150,000 television and radio shows that may be watched in designated console rooms. The shows date back as far as 1918 and are also inclusive of current running shows. To watch a program all you need to do is make a reservation at the front desk and select up to four shows you wish to view. You will then be assigned a designated console room with headphones where you are welcome to enjoy your show that is streamed via a vault of media programs stored just outside of New York City. Please note that the Paley Center does not sell any of its shows, it only allows for viewing of select programs within its facility.

Paley Center For Media

Speaking of the Paley Center facility, the $50 million building was designed by our friend Philip Johnson and opened for business on September 12, 1991. The museum originally began in 1975 on East 53rd Street and was then known as the Museum of Broadcasting. The unique idea for the Museum of Broadcasting was conceptualized by William S. Paley who successfully ran the CBS network for many years. It was Paley who, in fact, ensured that CBS was the top network for over twenty consecutive years through such hit shows as Dallas, 60 Minutes, and M*A*S*H. Paley was also known for his eye for talent as he discovered the likes of George Burns, Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby.

In 2007 the former Museum of Television and Broadcasting was renamed in honor of its founder William S. Paley. The non-media specific name was meant to recognize evolving technologies such as podcasting and the internet. The success of the New York branch has subsequently led to the opening of a second location in Beverly Hills, California which opened in 1996.

If you are interested in visiting the Paley Center and exploring its three-stories of entertainment technology, the hours are Wed-Sun 12pm-6pm, with extended hours on Thursdays (until 8pm). The museum is closed on both Mondays and Tuesday, and also major holidays (New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Again, admission fees may vary from the time of this recording but as of current you may expect $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens and $5 for children under fourteen.

Iwalked New York City’s Bloomingdale’s

Iwalked New York City’s Bloomingdale’s - When one thinks of shopping in New York City, one name immediately pops to the forefront of most individual’s minds—Bloomingdale’s. With seven and a half stories of retail space to conquer, it’s no wonder that even Queen Elizabeth II made it a pit stop on her list of “to-do’s” during a visit in 1976.

Bloomingdale’s

Bloomingdale’s began in 1872 when two brothers named Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale began selling hoop skirts in a small row house located at 938 Third Avenue. In a time when most retailers were only selling one specialty item, the brothers Bloomingdale were so bold as to begin to carry other items as well. This was one of the first instances of a true department store as we know it today.

In the store’s earliest days it thrived on an image of bargain prices. This image maintained until the 1970’s when “Bloomies” became a name associated with the finer things in life. Suddenly shoppers could buy branded underwear with the name “Bloomies” etched on it to show their own sophistication. Riding the tide of the spend thrifty 1980’s, the retail giant underwent a dramatic expansion.

Fast forward to the next decade (January 1990 to be specific) and Bloomingdale’s suddenly found itself facing enormous amounts of debt. The company had to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was eventually acquired by Macy’s which still owns the chain.

Bloomingdale’s iconic image has been featured in numerous high profile movies. In the 1984 Tom Hanks film, Splash, Darrell Hannah’s piercing mermaid voice destroys a series of televisions in the store. More recently (2001), John Cusack romanced Kate Beckinsale at the glove counter in Serendipity.

• Website: http://www.bloomingdales.com/
• Address: 1000 Third Avenue, New York City
• Cost: Free to view…once inside, it’s up to you.

Iwalked New York City’s Chrysler Building

Iwalked New York City’s Chrysler Building - The Chrysler Building is to New York City what the Eiffel Tower is Paris or Big Ben is to London. It is truly the single piece of architecture that most individuals have come to associate with New York…and for good reason. After all, fans of the 1978 musical film The Wiz, will recall, it was images of the Chrysler Building depicted along the yellow brick road…not the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center.

Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building stands 1,046 feet from street level to its Art Deco spire. (The spire itself is 185-feet tall.) It is constructed of a ribbed stainless-steel and contains ornamentation throughout that symbolizes the automobile manufacturer for which it is named. For instance on the building’s 59th floor there are gargoyles shaped like hubcaps, eagles on the 61st floor (as depicted on the hood ornament of a 1929 Chrysler Plymouth), and the spire is meant to evoke images of a car’s radiator grill.

The inspiration for the Chrysler Building began as the vision of Walter Percy Chrysler, the famed automobile manufacturer. In 1928 he hired New York architect William Van Alen to construct him what would be the world’s tallest building, surpassing the 792-foot Woolworth Building. His instructions to Val Alen specifically stated that he wanted the world’s highest toilet so he could look down and “shit on Henry Ford and the rest of the world.” The site selected was the former locale of the city’s largest beer-maker, the Bloomingdale Brewery.

Construction on the structure began on September 19, 1928. Meanwhile across town, one of Van Alen’s former partners whom he had had a falling out with, Craig Severance, had similarly entered into contract to erect the world’s largest building. Severance’s client, the Manhattan Company, began construction on their skyscraper around the same time at 40 Wall Street (a locale we visit on our Lower Manhattan tour).

Over the ensuing months, Val Alen and Severance raced to not only complete their structures first, but also ensure they were not outdone by the other. Each made multiple modifications to their original plans as rumors leaked on their rival’s approach. At one point when while feeling backed into a corner and running out of ideas, Van Alen was chastised by his employer who threw automobile metaphors at him for supposed inspiration. Chrsyler challenged Van Alen by stating that, “Your values need grinding,” and to “Speed up you carburetor.”

Van Alen was apparently up to the task as progress proceeded on the Chrysler Building at an incredible pace. The building was built at a rate of approximately four stories per week and completed in just twenty months. Up to 3,000 workers were actively engaged on the building’s construction at one point. Their efforts included laying approximately 3,826,000 bricks and applying some 400,000 rivets.

During the building’s final stages (literally in the month before its unveiling), unknown to Severance and the rest of the world, Van Alen had begun construction on a secret spire that would ensure his building would receive the title of world’s tallest building upon completion. The spire was actually assembled into four discrete sections within the fire shaft of the Chrysler Building to ensure its secrecy. When the spire was ready to be hoisted atop the 66th story on October 23, 1929, crews worked feverishly to install it within just ninety minutes! Upon its installation, the Chrysler Building’s spire officially ensured its height exceeded 40 Wall Street by 121 feet.

Unfortunately just eleven months later, the Empire State Building would surpass both buildings by more than 200 feet in 1931. Currently the Chrysler Building is tied for third amongst tallest structures within the city. A title it shares with the New York Times Building and two positions behind the Empire State Building and the Bank of America Tower. Upon completion of One World Trade Center, each of these structures will fall one place in their respective positions.

As for our hero Mr. Val Alen, despite having succeeded in not only creating the tallest building in the world and one of the most iconic structures of the 20th Century, he never again undertook a significant project after the Chrysler Building. Val Alen’s professional reputation reportedly took a bit of a hit when he sued his former employer, Mr. Chrsyler for not paying his commission of approximately $840,000 after having failed to enter into a formal agreement prior to commencement of the project. While Van Alen did win his day in court, he was virtually ostracized and relegated to teaching for the remainder of his days.

Meanwhile, Walter Chrysler’s $14 million investment remained within the Chrysler family until 1953 when they sold their interest in the property. While the Chrysler Corporation maintained headquarters within the facility from 1930 until the 1950s, it was never owned any rights in the building. Walter had financed the entire project himself as a family investment for his children. Today the Chrysler Building is 90% owned by the Abu Dhabi Investment Council.

• Website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/chrysler.html


• Address: 405 Lexington Avenue, New York City, NY


• Cost: Free

Iwalked New York City’s Stone Street

Iwalked New York City’s Stone Street - Stone Street is probably my favorite stretch of Lower Manhattan and if you choose to visit this site I’m sure you’ll see why. This narrow, cobblestone path was developed by the Dutch in 1656. In addition to the low-rise architecture you will also get swept back in time via other dated elements such as the old street lamps dotted along the street. Originally many of these buildings in this area were home to brewers and dry-goods merchants.

Stone Street

Its proud name served as a gentle reminder that this was the first paved path in all of New York. It originated under the name of High Street before the English changed it to Duke Street and finally settling on Stone Street in 1794.

If you looked at a map of this area you will notice that there are actually two separate stretches of Stone Street. The street was split as part of the construction of the Goldman Sachs building at 85 Broad Street in the 1980s.
Many of the existing Greek-Revival buildings are replacement structures from the originals which existed in this area. Nearly all of the houses along this row were built immediately following the Great Fire of 1835 (in 1836) and served as counting houses. Nowadays they serve as popular restaurants and pubs. Unfortunately not even the stone on which you are currently walking is per the original path, as these stones have also had to undergo replacement.

• Website: http://www.forgotten-ny.com/Alleys/stonestreet/stone.html
• Address: Stone Street, New York City, NY
• Cost: Free to visit. Pubs and restaurants are not.

Iwalked New York City’s Riverside Park

Iwalked New York City’s Riverside Park - I personally think of Riverside Park as Central Park’s bastardized twin in the sense that it is every bit as elegant however, receives none of the same recognition as its peer. Although it is a bit narrower, Riverside Park is longer and stretches for four miles along the Hudson River from West 72nd Street to 158th Street (versus Central Park’s 2.5 mile stretch from 59th Street to 110th).

Riverside Park

Ironically the initial idea and proposal for Riverside Park even came from the same man who designed Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted. Olmsted provided his plans to the city in 1875 and construction began on the park five years later. The upper terrace section and the picturesque street with which it runs parallel (Riverside Drive) were actually both a part of Olmsted’s original design.

Overall the park contains three terraced levels including a promenade. These lower levels are perhaps the most frequented due to their trails along the Hudson River. In all, one hundred thirty-four acres of space was added in 1937-1941 based upon designs provided by Gillmore D. Clarke and Clinton Lloyd.

• Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverside_Park_(Manhattan)
• Address: Riverside Park, New York City
• Cost: Free

Iwalked New York City’s Waverly Inn

Iwalked New York City’s Waverly Inn - One only needs to stroll through the once bohemian neighborhood of the Village to really understand how much it has really changed. This change is clearly illustrated via the uber trendy Waverly Inn located on Bank Street. On any given day you can find celebrities coming in and out of this locale to enjoy assumingly top end hamburgers priced at $20+. How do “you” get in? Well, good luck with that. One thing is for certain, you won’t be calling for a reservation any time soon as the Waverly does not claim to have a phone, or at least publish one, apparently adding to its mystique.

Waverly Inn

A mystique that is further heightened by its refusal to allow for any media to take photographs of its interior. Within the Waverly its ambience is said to be a dimly lit room decorated with various knick-knacks such as old book volumes and historical photos. Along the dining room is also a mural painted by artist Edward Sorel. Depicted within the mural are 43 famous figures from the Village’s past such as Jack Kerourac, Walt Whitman, Dylan Thomas, and Bob Dylan. Edward Sorel, if you are unfamiliar, is a noted artist whose work often frequents The New Yorker magazine.

The Waverly has been around in various forms since 1920 and currently resides within a building at 16 Bank Street which dates back to 1844. Through the years the site of the Waverly has been home to a variety of businesses including a tavern, bordello, and carriage house before taking on its present form.

One guest who has managed access to the Waverly and has actually taken up residence is the ghost said to frequent the former smoking room in Room 16. This mischievous waistcoat-cloaked spirit has been known for its critical eye for furniture placement as it seems to have a taste for moving items within the room rather frequently. The tenant ghost does have the presence to take care of its space though as demonstrated via a fire which occurred at the Waverly a few days before Christmas in 1997. The Waverly faced substantial damage from the fire, less this one room, which appeared nearly unharmed.

Website: http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/the-waverly-inn/
Address: 16 Bank Street, New York City
Cost: Free to walk past and stalk celebrities. Food/drinks inside are not.
Hours: Sun-Mon 6pm-11:45pm; Tue-Sat 6pm-12:45am

Iwalked New York City’s Former Home Of Thomas Jefferson

Iwalked New York City’s Former Home Of Thomas Jefferson - Thomas Jefferson only called New York City his home for a rather short period lasting six months in total (March-September 1790). During this time he served as the Secretary of State under newly appointed President George Washington.

Thomas Jefferson

His first residence during this period was a small space rented for one hundred pounds a year from two grocers by the names of Robert and Peter Bruce at 3 Front Street. He voiced his displeasure at the availability of space during this time in a letter to his daughter Martha in which he was quoted as, “I find it difficult to procure a tolerable house here.” He remained here a very short period of time as he later moved to a locale on Broadway before “settling” for a small home at 57 Maiden Lane in June.

It was here that perhaps one of the most significant negotiations in the history of our young nation occurred. Intent on moving our Nation’s capitol Jefferson organized a dinner with his friend James Madison to convince the one man who held sufficient sway within Congress to potentially block such a proposal—Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson’s opposition to New York was not only based upon its cramped quarters but also largely due to his distaste for its largest proponent, Mr. Hamilton.

On June 20, 1790 Jefferson and Madison concocted a careful negotiation to ensure both parties achieved their ultimate objective. Jefferson and Madison wanted to move the nations Capitol south and Hamilton, at the time, was actively promoting the creation of a national bank. With both parties holding such significant power to block either initiative the two sides agreed to at least not impede the vote on the other. This dinner agreement was later known to history as the derivation of the Compromise of 1790. Hamilton ultimately achieved his National Bank via a charter approved on February 25, 1791. And Jefferson received his wish to move the nation’s headquarters to a space along the Potomac after a temporary 10 year residency in Philadelphia.

In reference to Mr. Jefferson’s New York residency, upon his successful negotiations in June, he planned his return home to Virginia. By September he had moved out of 57 Maiden Lane.

• Website: http://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/new-york-city


• Address: 57 Maiden Lane, New York City, NY


• Cost: Free

Iwalked New York City Former Twin Towers

Iwalked New York City's Former Twin Towers - Some four hundred fifty companies were previously headquartered within the seven building complex of the original World Trade Center (WTC). The two most noted buildings were, of course, 1 WTC and 2 WTC or also referred to as Towers 1 and 2, or the Twin Towers. Upon completion of the one hundred ten storied twin towers in 1970-1971 they stood as the tallest buildings in the world before being surpassed by Chicago’s Sears Tower in 1973.

Twin Towers

At 8:46 am on September 11, 2001 the north tower was hit by a hijacked airliner, American Airlines Flight 11, originally having departed from Boston. The airplane impacted at the 93rd floor. Shortly thereafter at 9:05 a.m. a second plane, United Flight 175, also from Boston, struck the south tower between the 77th and 85th floors. 7 WTC collapsed later in the day at 5:20 p.m. While the remaining buildings in complex remained standing they would be required to be demolished due to the substantial amount of damage undertaken.

The official death toll was recently restated as 2,751 in 2009 after a long missing doctor was added to toll following a study which concluded no other explanation for his disappearance. Of those who perished three hundred forty-three were NYC Fire Department firefights and twenty-three were NYC police department officers.