Manhattan Bridge Plaza - Urban Archive

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Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Posts & Stories(6)

Manhattan Bridge Plaza
Post

Manhattan Bridge Plaza ca. 1979 The Manhattan Bridge was completed in 1909 during a post-Consolidation building boom. The decorative grand plaza and colonnade completed in 1915 at the Manhattan entrance have been chipped away at by city administrations and the elements. It was almost torn down by Robert Moses during bridge reconstruction in 1961. Though it never achieved the elegance depicted in this postcard, the colonnade is still a part of the bridge.

19th Century Tavern Crawl
Walk

New York City is known for its nightlife and entertainment. Since its early days, people have gathered in taverns to socialize, discuss the latest news, and gossip while enjoying drinks with friends. Join us as we take you back in time for a 19th century bar crawl that will quench your thirst for more of the City's history.

The Manhattan Bridge
Story

The Manhattan Bridge opened to the public on the morning of December 31, 1909. It was the third suspension bridge built to span the East River, joining the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges. At the beginning of construction, its name was “Bridge No. 3” but that didn’t stick. In the end, the city opted for something simple, christening the bridge Manhattan

Manhattan Bridge Plaza
Post

Manhattan Bridge, 1915. In 1910, a year after the bridge opened, the architectural firm Carrère and Hastings drew up preliminary plans for a grand entry to the bridge on the Manhattan side, in keeping with the City Beautiful movement’s emphasis on monumental architecture. Construction began that year, and plans were finalized in 1912. The arch and colonnade, completed in 1915, feature ornate sculptural detail, including pylons by the sculptor Carl Augustus Heber and a frieze by Charles Rumsey, entitled "Buffalo Hunt." The arch and colonnade were designated a New York City landmark on November 25, 1975. After years of neglect and appeals by traffic engineers to remove the structure, the arch and colonnade were repaired and restored in 2000.

Chinatown Walk
Walk

Arch-itecture
Story

Arches are everywhere in New York. From bridges, to memorials, and many a Beaux-Arts facade, the arch is a motif that can blends seamlessly into the city’s architectural fabric or stand out — triumphally — in a place of honor. Take a look:

Photos(21)

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Manhattan Bridge Plaza, New York side. \[Mayor's Committee to Welcome British & French War Commissions.]

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Manhattan Bridge Plaza. Canal Street and Bowery

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Bridges - Manhattan Bridge - \[Manhattan Bridge street car line.] (1) Passenger sheds and platforms of old Manhattan Bridge Street Car Line, on the Plaza of the bridge at the Bowery. December 26, 1929. P. L. Sperr. (2) Work car of the same location. December 26, 1929. P. L. Sperr.

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

North Arch of Manhattan Bridge: Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA) As part of the documentation of the construction of the Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA), negative documents the north arch of the Manhattan Bridge. Camera located between main and upper roadways of bridge facing north. Shows bridge roadway and arch with decorative features including a stone panel with a carved lion and coulumns. Also streets, buildings, automobiles.

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Pavement and Break in Existing Wall on Chrystie Street Looking Southwest: Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA) As part of the documentation of the construction of the Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA), negative documents pavement and break in existing wall on Chrystie Street near Canal Street. Camera on east side of Chrystie Street looking southwest. Shows break in exposed wall in trench created by excavated pavement. Also shows backfill, barricades, storefronts, and Manhattan Bridge Plaza in background.

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Temporary Pavement Over Gas Bypass on Chrystie Street Looking South: Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA) As part of the documentation of the construction of the Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA), negative documents temporary pavement over gas bypass on Chrystie Street near Canal Street and Manhattan Bridge Plaza. Camera on west side of Chrystie Street, facing south. Also shows street, sidewalk, barricades, storefronts, and arch and colonnade of Manhattan Bridge Plaza.

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Retaining Wall of Manhattan Bridge as Viewed from Park Plaza Walk: Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA) As part of the documentation of the construction of the Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA), negative documents the retaining wall at the base of the Manhattan Bridge. Camera located on park plaza walk at base of bridge facing west. Shows retaining wall, railings, and columns of Manhattan Bridge.

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Existing Wall Near Manhattan Bridge Plaza: Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA) As part of the documentation of the construction of the Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA), negative documents existing wall near Manhattan Bridge Plaza exposed by construction. Camera at portal, looking northwest. Also shows construction workers, construction equipment, and arch of Manhattan Bridge Plaza.

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Manhattan Bridge Plaza: Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA) As part of the documentation of the construction of the Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA), negative documents the Manhattan Bridge Plaza opposite the intersection of Canal and Chrystie Streets. Camera located on Canal Street roadway facing south. Shows plaza, arch, columns, and railings of the Manahttan Bridge and automobiles.

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Manhattan Bridge: Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA) Negative shows Manhattan Bridge at base of Chrystie Street as part of the documentation of the construction of the Chrystie Street Connection (NYCTA). Camera on Chrystie Street, east of base line, facing south. Shows roadway, automobiles, and colonnade and arch of Manhattan Bridge Plaza.

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

\[Manhattan Bridge arch and colonnade.]

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

\[Manhattan Bridge arch and colonnade.]

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

\[Manhattan Bridge arch and colonnade and Confuscius Plaza.]

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

\[Manhattan Bridge arch and colonnade.]

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

\[Manhattan Bridge arch and colonnade.]

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

\[Manhattan Bridge arch and colonnade and Confucius Plaza.]

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Manhattan Bridge Plaza, Canal Street and Bowery, New York City. Primary subject: Manhattan Bridge Arch

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Manhattan Bridge Plaza, Canal Street and Bowery, New York City. Primary subject: Manhattan Bridge Arch

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Bulls Head in the Bowery, Between Bayard and Pump Sts. Now Canal St. N.Y. 1783

Manhattan Bridge Plaza

Bridges - Manhattan Bridge - \[Manhattan gateway.] (1) Manhattan gateway to the Manhattan Bridge; takne from the Bowery through the window of an "el" train. About 1925. P. L. Sperr. NO REPRODUCTIONS. NEG # 5058 (2) The rear of the gateway at the Manhattan entrance to the Manhatten Bridge: takne 4 years later. December 26, 1929. P. L. Sperr NO REPRODUCTIONS. (Not a dry mount item)

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