Today, after 30 years on the Upper East Side I settled in to my new home in Los Angeles. I will continue to write from here but for my farewell to the UES I am going to reveal some never before seen faces… The building I grew up in, 4 East 88th Street, has been [...]

I recently stayed a few nights at The Franklin Hotel on 87th Street between Lexington Ave and Third Ave.  Been walking by it for years, used to see the bellhop in a top hat.  Haven’t seen that in a long time there was no top hatted bellhop during my stay.  I have a feeling The [...]

You know those benches at “Engineer’s Gate” at 90th Street and Fifth Avenue where you enter the loop and the bridal path and the reservoir?  Check out the detailing UNDER the benches. They really don’t make things like they used to.

Andrew Alpern gave a talk at the New York Public Library a few weeks ago about the newest edition of his book “Holdouts! The Buildings That Got in the Way.”  He ended with a neutral statement: “Holdouts are neither all good nor all bad. They simply are.”  But it seemed to me that his sentiments [...]

Just noticed this brick signage on the South side of Saks Fifth Avenue on 49th Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue for the first time!

What the heck is up with this door? 321 E 92nd Street: Also, I think this scroll-hip is pretty sexy.  Reminds me of some surrealist stuff. 1105 Park Avenue:

So, in case you didn’t know, I make jewelry (www.rebeccaschiffmanjewelry.com) and my new “Upper East Side Collection” is based on architectural ornament in the neighborhood.  I’m running a Kickstarter campaign to get enough pre-orders to be able to pay for some equipment, materials and promotional costs.  There are only 7 days left.  Please check out [...]

Raccoons on Fifth Ave and 86th Street Cat Nightlife  

Some pl8tz from January 2010 around New York City.