New York, one of the world’s leading cities, is renowned for its vitality and excitement.
When we think of New York, iconic visual symbols that embody its essence immediately come to mind: Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge…
However, beyond these famous landmarks, the city’s streetscapes—the “everyday scenes”—are deeply captivating, enriched by historical context, and spark even greater interest.
For instance, the brick buildings with steel exterior staircases commonly seen in Manhattan’s SoHo, Chelsea, and Brooklyn areas evoke the very essence of New York’s character.
Upon researching their origins, it appears that brick buildings became widespread after the Great Fire of Manhattan in 1835, primarily for fire resistance.
On the night of December 16, 1835, a fire broke out in a five-story warehouse on Merchant Street in southern Manhattan. The flames rapidly spread through Lower Manhattan, destroying approximately 600 buildings.
In response, brick replaced wood as the primary building material to prevent further fires. Additionally, New York State raised building standards, mandating exterior wall inspections every five years, leading to designs that retained scaffolding structures.
Consequently, especially in former warehouse districts, buildings featuring brick construction with steel scaffolding became prevalent. Today, these structures have been repurposed into commercial facilities, establishing a quintessential New York streetscape.
It’s somewhat surprising to realize that New York’s approach to crisis management has shaped its current cityscape.
As mentioned at the beginning, New York is often described as a city brimming with ambition and possibilities. Yet, beneath this lies a multitude of protections to ensure safety, offering a glimpse into the complexities of American society.
It’s been a year and a half since AREA expanded into New York.
From the heart of Manhattan, AREA NY continues to present our interior design philosophy and products to discerning customers worldwide who appreciate true value.
We sincerely appreciate your continued support of AREA NY!
