MIXED USES OF NORWOOD, BRONX, NY - JUNE 2022
The Tour AIA BX 09 - 2 CEU:
The Director of Education for The Bronx County Historical Society, and a Bronx AIA Architect will lead a walking tour of Norwood, Bronx, NY, chronicling its’ place in the Bronx and New York City. Included are how historical, architectural and infrastructure construction impacted residential areas, the regional railroad, roads, and reservoirs within and adjacent to Norwood. Urban planning, public and private investment within the context of the growth of Norwood will be reviewed.
The area grew from the Kings Bridge over the Spuyten Duyvil Creek – one of the only bridges connecting Manhattan in the 18th century, as well as the construction of the railroad, Albany Post Road and Boston Post Road connecting New York City to Albany and Boston. The major roads and Parkways through the neighborhood such as; Gun Rill Road and the Mosholu Parkway, give easy access to the regional parks; Pelham Bay Parkway, Mosholu Parkway, Crotona Parkway and Bronx River Parkway in and/or adjacent to Norwood.
Date & Time:
The tour starts on Jun 4, 2022, at 10:00 AM ET (UTC -5) Eastern Time
The tour ends at 12:00 PM ET (UTC -5) Eastern Time
Starting Place:
Meet at the entrance gate at 3266 Bainbridge Ave. Bronx, NY 10467
Price (20 tickets are available) :
Architect member $20
Associate member $20
Non-member $30
For More Information & Tickets:
CONTACT: Bob Esnard - besnard@dzco.com , 212-977-4800
Mott Haven Tour Route
MOTT HAVEN
In 1841 Jordan L. Mott established the first Bronx industrial buildings with The JL Mott Iron Works. He and his family were very successful and became political leaders of this portion of the South Bronx, which they named Mott Haven. With the arrival of the railroad (today’s Metro North Harlem Division), the Third Avenue Elevated Line, the IRT subway line and several bridge connections to Manhattan, growth and development quickly followed. Today, this South Bronx neighborhood with its the three historic districts: The Mott Haven Historic, The Mott Haven East Historic and the Bertine Block Districts, with their surrounding blocks contain many residential, cultural and industrial structures, is a unique mix of old/new architectural building types and styles.
Mott Haven was always an active and vibrant residential and commercial area that originally housed immigrants of European background. In the 20th Century, the demographics shifted to include African Americans, and Spanish/Latin American residents. Changing industrial/commercial uses led to demolition for new buildings or community facilities that eliminated some of the South Bronx’s original 19th and early 20th Century buildings. However, many of the brick constructed block fronts retained their architectural integrity, all with 2 story row houses in Queen Ann and Romanesque revival styles. Some of the newer housing developments designs, reflect these early architectural structures in a modern way, such as with Plaza Borinquen, as excellent example of newly built low-rise multifamily complex. The older buildings have been modified to house more residents while conforming to the changing legal requirements of zoning, building and fire regulations that provide structurally safe living spaces, with two means of egress and appropriate light and air for their residents.
Photos courtesy of The Bronx County Historical Society
TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE TOUR - JUNE 2019
Triborough Bridge Tour – Saturday, June 29, 2019 from 10:00 AM to Noon
The tour will begin and end in the Bronx at the “Randall’s Island Connector” under the RR Trestle Bridge, the walkway entry to the Triborough Bridge Complex in the Bronx on 132nd Street between Walnut and Willow Avenues, (see Google Maps image below). We will assemble there. This neighborhood is an industrial area and on Saturday morning there is plenty of on-street parking for those arriving by car.
The Tour will include walking underneath and around three main bridges making up the “Triborough Bridge” and visit the public facilities developed of the park for two hours.
CONTACT: Bob Esnard - besnard@dzco.com , 212-977-4800
AIABX03 - 2 CEU.
AIA Members: $20
Non-members: $30.
Fieldston, a Suburb in the City - 2018
Fieldston, a Suburb in the City – November 3, 2018 @ 10:00AM
CONTACT: Martin Zelnik - 646-549-0142
The tour starts at the most southerly end of Fieldston Road in front of the Fieldston School aka Ethical Culture. There is a public parking lot for those arriving by car. We will assemble there.
AIABX02/2018 - 2 CEU. AIA Members: $20 Members, Non-members: $30.
This Fieldston tour, is to be led by Bronx AIA Architects Martin Zelnik and Richard Stein. Spurred by both the extension of New York’s first subway line and the advent of the motorcar, Fieldston was one of America’s first planned suburbs. Its design was influenced by both the City Beautiful Movement and the Garden City Movement promulgated by Ebenezer Howard in the United Kingdom to counteract the effects of pollution and crowding in modern industrialized cities.
Among the unique features of the community is the way in which it was developed over time. Originally, a prominent local family, the Delafield’s, subdivided their hilly rock-bound acreage and laid it out in 1914 along a pattern suggested years before by Frederick Law Olmsted. After 80 lots were developed and sold. The remaining vacant property was sold to an Owners Association made up of the lot owners, who have preserved the architectural and environmental character for the remaining lots. Only architects who could design in certain “styles”, were permitted to practice in this Fieldston property to “fit” its character. Principal among them was Dwight James Baum, who lived and maintained his studio in Fieldston.
The Fieldston property Owners Association has remained strong to this day. They helped to pass legislation in 1975 creating one of New York City’s few Special Natural Area Districts to protect features like specific and rock outcroppings, as well as the creation of the Fieldston Historic District in 2006.
These photos are a baseline for later alterations.
Mediterranean
English Tudor
Georgian
Colonial
Dutch
