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A Monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York

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I’ve been saving up these photos for a while now and I really don’t know why.  They were all taken in the area of downtown Manhattan, a bit of SoHo and primarily to the west which is a commercial area and known as Hudson Square. 

Today I’m taking you on a tour and sharing a monumental surprise at Hudson Square in New York. 

Graffiti of Snoopy on Garage door, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
SoHo is an area in west downtown Manhattan.  The name comes from its location which is South of Houston Street.   

Much of SoHo is quaint and village like. 

Typical street in SoHo, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
..with cast iron buildings and boutiques. 
Building with large arches, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com

In fact the area is famous for these types of buildings which were originally factories and when later abandoned, were inhabited by artists for their expansive loft spaces. 
Neo Greco Building with arches, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com

​You might even be fooled into thinking that you are on a Greek island every once in a while. This shot was taken in front of a restaurant. Love that blue!!
Blue storefront with marigolds, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
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​But if you gaze up there is no denying that you are in fact surrounded by lots of skyscrapers, the most prominent being The Freedom Tower at One Word Trade Center.
​ 

A view of One World Trade Center in the background, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
There is that juxtaposition of solid looking brick buildings.
Brick building in Soho, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com

Some with ornate facades.
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Heavily ornamented building in Hudson Square, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
And the monoliths. 

There is that spiral of The Freedom Tower looking down at us. 

Tall buildings in Hudson Square with spiral of One World Trade Center, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com

​Lots of greenery too.
Tiny garden in front of a window, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
And flowers…
Flower bed in front of residential building, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com

​And unexpected facade cladding.  This building, which is residential, is covered in a metal that is brimming with patina. 

Rusty patina of the facade of building, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
Back to the more traditional. 

​I lived in one of these when we first moved to the States a few lifetimes ago and I remember having a fire escape outside my 5th floor bedroom window.  It was so thrilling for a girl who had never seen any building taller than two stories. 

Typical building with ornate features and fire escapes, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
Detail of arch on doorway of building, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
As we come closer to the Hudson Square area which is just off the Hudson River, we find an interesting mix of buildings. 
Urban Glass House by Philip Johnson, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com

The Urban Glass House was designed by work famous architect Philip Johnson, he of the original Glass House fame built back in 1949.  
Facade of Urban glass house, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
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​Walking up Hudson Street we come to this.  You’d think its a residential building but in fact it is a commercial office building. 
Commercial building on Hudson Street, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
Hudson Street is a delight for the eyes!
Ornate details on building, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com

​Full of so many unexpected details, if you only look up!

balcony on commercial building, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
Even this is cool to look at. 
modern office building with curved edges, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
Mother's Day Print Gifts

​Right off of the Hudson River we encounter this striking building. 

NYSanitation Dept Garage building, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
Can you guess what’s inside?  

Those fins by the way, move to track the suns movement throughout the day and contribute to its environmentally friendly status. 

Perforated Metal fins on building, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
It is the New York City Department of Sanitation Garage.  I never knew garbage could look so stylish!
Maroon masonry base of building, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
And let’s not forget our perfect view right across the street from the Garage or “Tower of Garbage” as it is affectionately known!
alleyway looking at the Freedom Tower, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
I’ve saved the last one for last.  This strange construction which looks like it came out of the desert is across the street from the “Tower of Garbage”.  What do you think might be inside?
The Spring Street Salt Shed at Hudson Square, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
It is full of salt!  

That’s right, the Department of Sanitation uses it as a storage shed for the salt that is used in the winter. It’s official title is Spring Street Salt Shed. It’s even won a couple of Architectural awards!

Spring Street Salt Shed, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
Just look at that undulating building.  My first impression when I encountered it was one of disbelief.  I circled it and circled it trying to figure out what it was.  It looks like a giant piece of sculpture. 
Spring Street Salt Shed, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
To the west of the shed is West Street (very creative) and beyond that is the Hudson River.  Underneath this road is the Holland Tunnel which connects Manhattan to New Jersey on the other side of the river. 
West Street next to the Hudson River, A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
And that is my exhaustive tour of the Hudson Square area of Manhattan. With a monumental surprise at the end!  Only in New York folks!!

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A photo essay of New York's Hudson Square and the surrounding area, SoHo in Manhattan #travel #photography #NewYork #manhattan #hudsonsquare #SoHo #buildings #oneworldtradecenter #SpringStreetSaltShed A monumental Surprise at Hudson Square in New York, www.theboondocksblog.com
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Travel Tuesday

Tuesday 12th of February 2019

Great shots of this great city, Mary. I'm glad I'm not the only one wandering around the City looking up all the time and taking photos! :-) Thank you for taking part in the Travel Tuesday meme.

Mary

Tuesday 12th of February 2019

It's an acquired taste! Haha! Just be careful not to bump into people, that always happens with me.

pam

Thursday 31st of January 2019

I love looking at buildings, esp OLD ones. Here in Nashville TN business' have been having the sides of buildings paintings. Nice pics.

Mary

Monday 4th of February 2019

That is a wonderful way to add color to a neighborhood. I bet there must be lots of historic buildings in Nashville.

Eileen Wise

Thursday 31st of January 2019

Hello, awesome series and great variety of buildings. I like the Snoopy mural. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day. Have a great weekend ahead.

Mary

Monday 4th of February 2019

Thank you so much Eileen. I feel like a tourist in my own city.

Nancy Andres

Thursday 31st of January 2019

Terrific photos and commentary of an area in Manhattan that I love. As a color maven, I especially enjoyed seeing the different shades you captured in this walking tour. Keep up the good work Mary and be well.

Mary

Monday 4th of February 2019

Thanks so much Nancy. It is always fun to walk around and see the unexpected. The city is full of color and light and shadows!

Marie-OR

Thursday 31st of January 2019

Fascinating tour of SoHo! Love those automatic sunshades on the windows of that one building! And the oddly shaped salt building is very cool. But my heart is with the older buildings!

Mary

Monday 4th of February 2019

I hear ya Marie. There is such a vast array of styles of architecture in such a small space, you can easily spend hours just walking around with your head up in the air.

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