ThoughtGallery.org > Telling the Art Deco Story of The Grand Concourse, Part One

Telling the Art Deco Story of The Grand Concourse, Part One

We are excited to take our Telling the Art Deco Stories of our Neighborhood’s programs digital so that you can explore New York’s wonderful Art Deco enclaves with the Art Deco Society of New York––from anywhere!

In part one of our two part online “tour”, architectural historian Anthony W. Robins will lead us through superb interwar architectural treasures of The Grand Concourse––The Bronx’s famed Art Deco thoroughfare!

In this event we will explore the history of this Art Deco showplace that was once part of Westchester County and became the first area outside of Manhattan Island to be absorbed into New York City in 1874. As we wind north for 4.5 miles in this web-based “tour”, we will see how The Concourse rises above surrounding streets and makes a gently curving path in a plan meant to rival the Champs Élysée in Paris. In the years after World War I, the Concourse developed into a fabled residential district, now famous for its Art Deco apartment houses––including perhaps the best-known, No. 1157, the “Fish Building,” with its over-life-size fishbowl mosaics. The façade and its interior are truly a site to behold!

In this online event we will see how West Bronx Deco takes in a variety of building types, and extends to either side of the Concourse. Our virtual walk will focus on the apartment buildings at the southern end of the Concourse, and will also include highlights such as:

  • The Bronx Post Office with its stunning Ben Shahn murals
  • The monolithic Bronx County Building, now home to the borough’s government offices
  • The Park Plaza Apartments, off to the west on Jerome Avenue, which were designed by Marvin Fine as the first Art Deco apartment building in the borough

As a special treat, our “visit” to the Bronx will also include hearing Marvin Fine talking about the Park Plaza, thanks to an interview with our tour guide taped 40 years ago. Marvin Fine, in the office of Horace Ginsbern, designed not just the Park Plaza but also many of the Grand Concourse wonders, including the Fish Building!

Even though this tour is online, it will include a live PowerPoint—with wonderful images that you will be able to see directly on your computer screen, tablet, or mobile device—as well as a Q&A session with participants.

Not able to join us at the time of the event? No problem! Those who register will receive a recording of the entire program a few days after the live presentation. When you sign up for the program you have the opportunity to watch, or rewatch, the recording at a time more convenient for your schedule.

$20











When: Sun., Jun. 28, 2020 at 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

We are excited to take our Telling the Art Deco Stories of our Neighborhood’s programs digital so that you can explore New York’s wonderful Art Deco enclaves with the Art Deco Society of New York––from anywhere!

In part one of our two part online “tour”, architectural historian Anthony W. Robins will lead us through superb interwar architectural treasures of The Grand Concourse––The Bronx’s famed Art Deco thoroughfare!

In this event we will explore the history of this Art Deco showplace that was once part of Westchester County and became the first area outside of Manhattan Island to be absorbed into New York City in 1874. As we wind north for 4.5 miles in this web-based “tour”, we will see how The Concourse rises above surrounding streets and makes a gently curving path in a plan meant to rival the Champs Élysée in Paris. In the years after World War I, the Concourse developed into a fabled residential district, now famous for its Art Deco apartment houses––including perhaps the best-known, No. 1157, the “Fish Building,” with its over-life-size fishbowl mosaics. The façade and its interior are truly a site to behold!

In this online event we will see how West Bronx Deco takes in a variety of building types, and extends to either side of the Concourse. Our virtual walk will focus on the apartment buildings at the southern end of the Concourse, and will also include highlights such as:

  • The Bronx Post Office with its stunning Ben Shahn murals
  • The monolithic Bronx County Building, now home to the borough’s government offices
  • The Park Plaza Apartments, off to the west on Jerome Avenue, which were designed by Marvin Fine as the first Art Deco apartment building in the borough

As a special treat, our “visit” to the Bronx will also include hearing Marvin Fine talking about the Park Plaza, thanks to an interview with our tour guide taped 40 years ago. Marvin Fine, in the office of Horace Ginsbern, designed not just the Park Plaza but also many of the Grand Concourse wonders, including the Fish Building!

Even though this tour is online, it will include a live PowerPoint—with wonderful images that you will be able to see directly on your computer screen, tablet, or mobile device—as well as a Q&A session with participants.

Not able to join us at the time of the event? No problem! Those who register will receive a recording of the entire program a few days after the live presentation. When you sign up for the program you have the opportunity to watch, or rewatch, the recording at a time more convenient for your schedule.

$20

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