23 August 2011

Clinging Desperately to Washington Square


I never took much notice of this building on the southwest corner of Washington Square Park, except to express relief that it didn't yet belong to NYU. Recently, however, because of the scaffolding, I took a close look and noticed the cornice. "Washington View." A pleasant name for the building. It was erected in 1890, and must have opened an an apartment building with a name like that. And then I checked out the address: 39 1/2 Washington Square South. Curious, since the building is technically on W. 4th Street and shouldn't be able to claim the glamorous WSS address. (No. 40 is across Macdougal Street.) I bet that savvy address has upped the rents by 50% over the decades.






3 comments:

Upstate Johnny G said...

Hi Brooks, you probably already know of this site:
http://www.nysonglines.com/4st.htm#macdougal
I stumbled across it looking for more dope on 39 1/2 Wash Sq S. Has some pretty interesting insights re literary and music history associated with buildings.....

Upstate Johnny G said...

And here's what looks like an ad for the unit on the second floor...and yeah, I'd say that the Wash Sq S address probably added a bit to the price! Looks to be set up so the living room looks out of the corner sort of towery thing. Nice looking place....1.45mil! I wonder if the listing agent noted the irony when they wrote that the maid's room had been turned into a closet! That's either a spectacular closet, or the poor maid must have barely had room to swing a cat.....

Upstate Johnny G said...

oops, forgot to put in the website for the apartment....
http://www.trulia.com/property/3054546840-39-5-Washington-Sq-S-3-New-York-NY-10012