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July 29, 2005
Tunnel Garage
So long overdue, the second installment of Renovate Me. More on the way...
Holland Tunnel, the "world's first long underwater mechanically ventilated vehicular tunnel", is named after its chief engineer Clifford Milburn Holland. Construction began in 1920, and was completed seven years later, with some 51,694 vehicles passing through on opening day. Vehicles of course meaning horse drawn carts and motorized transport.
This little sweetheart, Tunnel Garage, was built five years before the first vehicle even passed through the Holland, in the grand tradition of New York real estate speculation. Surely one of the first parking garages in Manhattan, which at the time was polluted more by horse shit than the equally noxious automobile. A short but fascinating history of parking, from a 2001 issue of Architecture Week, can be found here.
But unlike today's boom, they built a speculative beauty. Scarred by contemporary signage, this gem is awaiting a good scrubbing and preservationist rehab, along with a new and fantastic use. Considering Transfer's biggest congestion style proposal is to tax the shit out of parking lots, thereby making it extremely costly to drive into Manhattan, this Garage would to good to apply for a different use permit. Thats of course after a detailed and accurate restoration of the existing facade. The cache this little building could kick, with its artful font, lead pane windows, small detailed touches, and rounded corner frontage.
Bring this beauty back from the brink. Certificate of Occupancy and Photos below.
520 Broome St
Completed 1922
Posted by jmarston at July 29, 2005 05:14 PM