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| The sign, 2013. |
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| In 1937. |
The Tudor City sign first lights up in late 1927, concurrent with the opening of its home base, Prospect Tower, No. 45. It never appears on the original renderings that the French Company prepares for Tudor City, suggesting that it's an impromptu, last-minute addition ‒ and a temporary thing to be removed once all of the apartments are rented.
But Fred French is impressed by its striking presence on 42nd Street. Illuminated by white incandescent bulbs, it can be seen clearly from Grand Central Station, and the message to its commuter audience is just as clear: If you lived here, you'd be home by now.
Fred French orders a twin sign installed across the street on the rising No. 25.
But Fred French is impressed by its striking presence on 42nd Street. Illuminated by white incandescent bulbs, it can be seen clearly from Grand Central Station, and the message to its commuter audience is just as clear: If you lived here, you'd be home by now.
Fred French orders a twin sign installed across the street on the rising No. 25.
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| Above, artist rendering of both signs in 1928. |
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Photo taken from the Chrysler Building, 1929. Bottom right corner, the Daily News Building under construction.
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In 1939, the remaining sign is retrofitted by the Claude Neon Lights Company with neon tubes in "fluorescent old gold," the same classy shade used for the letters on the RCA Building in Rockefeller Center.
Reinvigorated and looking good, the sign shines on for another decade, even as impending disaster looms.
I assume you know how badly two people wanted the sign removed and tried so hard to do it, if you read the Times article. They even hired an architect to say that the steel sign was rusted, and in danger of falling, but Landmarks wouldn't let them remove it. It's been 18 years since then, but some people just never lose their obsessions with steel and rooftops, even going so far as to buy bridge painting businesses. The sign was never repaired or reinforced, only painted (I wonder whose company will do it next time around!) and had the neon removed. Needless to say, it's in no danger of falling. The same players are in the game. Beware of reports that say there are problems with steel on the roof. Have them thoroughly checked out if you want to do your fiduciary. Oh, and by the way, how many bids did the board get for the architect/ engineer/ contractor? I wonder how they chose Petkanas and Xenos. ~Tudor City Anonymous
ReplyDeleteI wonder how you came up with your concerns, did you actually manage to go up on the roof and peruse the conditions of the steel for yourself, or is constant gossip and blabber about what you think is going on "are the facts"? Although you did begin with "I assume", so it makes clear to me that you yourself dont know the facts. Speaking of facts, get your information together prior to talking about players in the game. Maybe half the players you are talking about are trying to upkeep the signage and maintain the historic appeal of Tudor City.
DeleteOr is running mouth just part of America today ? No need to further a response to that question, its rhetorical LOL.