29. Broad Exchange Building

AKA: 25 Broad Street; The Exchange at 25
Location: 25 Broad Street
Built: 1902
Architect: Clinton & Russell
National Register Number: 98000366
Listed: April 13, 1998
Visited: September 28 and October 15, 2007



Another recent condo conversion. I feel bad about not having much of an opinion about it. A wing was recently de-landmarked by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, allowing Swig Equities to demolish it and transfer its air rights to a new building to be built on 45 Broad Street. In turn, this lets 45 Broad have twelve more stories than initially planned. Going higher means better views means pricier apartments, after all. I'm totally cynical about this equation because I'm cynical about the worth of good views; I wholeheartedly agree with Christopher Alexander's observation that a well-designed building conserves its views rather than leaves them gaping and unavoidable. Not that Alexander's insight necessarily applies here: when I'm in another cynical snit, I wonder if anybody who'd buy into 45 Broad would actually live there long enough to get bored by it. Maybe all they're looking for are pied-à-terres, albeit unfathomably expensive ones.

25 Broad comes with a snazzy website (that I'm not linking to, sorry) whose message seems to be less "this is such an awesome place to live" and more "this is gonna be such an awesome investment." An awesome investment because one day all the cranes and construction workers and dust and debris will go away and we'll have a new World Trade Center and a new Fulton Street Transit Center and and and everyone will want a piece of the action and your property's value will reach unheretofore seen heights. Though I'd sure like to what feat of magic will turn these limestone canyons and these streets, so bone-dry after dark, into an actual neighborhood filled with people who do things people in neighborhoods do. Right now groceries, hardware, cultural amusements, etc. all require something of a trek; though, again, that inconvenient fact may not make much of a difference to those who can afford assistants to fetch silk pajamas and aubergines at a whim's notice.



God, enough with the attitude already, Mike. OK, can't say nothing bad about the building. Hell, it probably is an awesome place to live. Look at that entrance, that nice entrance with the Doric columns. Nice amenities, it seems. I could sure use a resident-only health club. I could even use a health club. I don't really need a neighborhood filled with people because I hate people anyway. Nyeah.