New York City Tourism Blog

Statue of Liberty

jcl0001 — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:26:52 +0000

Designed by French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, the Statue of Liberty was intended as a gift to the U.S. recognizing the freedom that he felt lacking in his country France. The statue has since become a widely recognized symbol of freedom. The statue took Bartholdi 21 year s to build and was unveiled on October 28, 1886 by president Grover Cleveland. The statue has a height of 305 feet from ground to torch, and it took three hundred molded copper sheets to build. Unaware by many people the golden torch that we see today is actually a replica of the original, corroded torch. People who are interested in seeing the original torch could find it in the main lobby. The replacement was installed in 1986. The flame on the new torch is actually coated in 24K gold leaf. Also unaware by many people the statue’s frame was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the designer and builder of the famed Eiffel Tower. Another interesting trivia of the statue is that Bartholdi used his mother as the model for the statue. For those of you interested in finding out more about the Statue of Liberty please visit: http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm

Source: foxtravelandtour.com

Twin Towers of Central Park West

jcl0001 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:04:59 +0000

The Twin Towers of Central Park West, which include The Eldorado, The San Remo, The Majestic, and The Century are four renewed luxury co-op building lining Central Park West. The Twin Towers are among the most famous landmark in New York City. Built between 1929 and 1932, the Twin Tower remains the most highly sought-after co-op residences in New York City. Interestingly, the buildings, known for their architectural design and beauty, were actually designed and built in accordance to New York City planning law allowing taller apartments to be built if towers were used. San Remo and Eldorado were designed by famed architect Emory Roth. The Majestic and Century were designed by Irwin S. Chanin. Some of the past and present famous residences of the Twin Tower include Tiger Wood, Stephen Spielberg, and Dustin Hoffman. Interestingly, Madonna was rejected by the co-op committee even though the towers have the reputation lenient admissions standards.

To learn more about Central Park West neighborhood please go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Park_West

Source: Streeteasy.com

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

jcl0001 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:09:11 +0000

The Federal Reserve Bank located at 33 Liberty Street in New York City is one of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks in the U.S. that functions as the issuer of currency. The building, occupying the entire block, was designed by York and Sawyer in the Italian Renaissance style in 1924. Most tourists are unaware of the fact that five floors below the ground level of the Federal Reserve Bank is one of the world’s largest warehouses for international gold reserve. By international, we mean that the Federal Reserve Bank stores each nation’s gold reserve in its own unique cell within a subsurface vault that is protected by 90-ton doors. Another fact unbeknown to most people is that you could identify bank notes originating from the New York City Branch of Federal Reserve Bank by the letter “B” in the Federal Reserve seal printed on each note. For more detailed information about the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Please visit the Federal Reserve Bank of New York official website: www.newyorkfed.org

Source: Flicker, photo taken by user Torkildsollihaukaas