Waldorf-Astoria Hotel (and Neighbors), NYC, 2017.
More pixels than you or I can afford, except maybe for a special occasion, at https://www.flickr.com/photos/mattblaze/32609074081
#photography
This was captured with a DSLR and a 19mm shifting lens, from a balcony of another building.
It’s mostly an exercise in angles and symmetry. The vaguely wedge-shaped dark cloud that appeared overhead, following the lines of the buildings, created a fortuitous moment.
The Waldorf was closed for an extensive renovation shortly after this was made and has not yet fully re-opened. Many of the rooms are being converted into condo apartments.
The Waldorf-Astoria is perhaps New York’s most prominent monument to jazz age luxury and glamor. It’s been the traditional residence for US presidents and foreign heads of state when in town (the “presidential suite” was meant rather literally there).
Built over the below-grade railyard of Grand Central Terminal, the hotel was equipped with a private rail siding and platform where guests could park their personal railcars(!). (Andy Warhol once threw a party on the platform.)
@mattblaze@federate.social Amtrak will still haul your private railcar. https://www.amtrak.com/privately-owned-rail-cars
(The Waldorf is currently part of the Hilton hotel group, but I’m not sure if there have been any prominent assassinations there.
Update: Hmm. As of 1999, there had been at least four homicides there, but it’s unclear if any of them qualify as prominent targeted assassinations. See https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/14/nyregion/man-is-found-slain-at-the-waldorf-astoria-hotel.html?unlocked_article_code=1.fk4.atS7.zxI63ob2nybw&smid=url-share )
@a_cubed@mastodon.social That one seems to have been a botched robbery though. Probably not targeted assassination.
@mattblaze@federate.social Rooms are tiny. I mean miniscule. Like only slighty larger than your average prison cell. But typically with a better view & beds though. Some floors have a weird ass ‘old dampness’ funk that’s really hard to nail down specifically. But it’s musty & unpleasant.
@Beggarmidas@mastodon.social I’m sorry you have been disappointed. I will make a note in your account.
@mattblaze@federate.social lol. Cheeky. Never stayed there. Just met the occasional client there.
@Beggarmidas@mastodon.social bye now
@mattblaze@federate.social these NYC grayscale photos are absolutely amazing.
I spent some days in NYC a few weeks back, and walking Manhattan with a DSLR, digital- and analog compact camera has given me new respect for the arts.
Keep the eyecandy coming :D
