Walking Tour: The Bloomberg Building, One Beacon Court, NY

There is so much to see, architecturally, in New York City. As I walk around, I find myself stopping for a few minutes to admire some architectural sculptures. One such place is the BLOOMBERG Building, designed by Argentinian- born, American architect Cesar Pelli.
http://www.bookrags.com/biography/cesar-pelli/

Bloomberg is a familiar name in the world of finance. Michael Bloomberg, who now reigns as the Mayor of New York, formed Bloomberg as a media company in 1981, to provide the tools and data needed by businessmen in the world of finance. Their main product, the Bloomberg Terminal, is "a computer system that enables financial professionals to access the Bloomberg Professional service through which users can monitor and analyze real-time financial-market data movements and place trades." It is most relied upon because it provides "the fastest-growing real-time financial information network in the world."

The building structure occupies a whole block bound by 58th St. where the main entrance to the building is located...leading to the atrium...

...59th St. where there is another entrance. At the base of the building, in 6 floors, the offices of Bloomberg are situated.

The atrium is elliptical in shape, with the glazed-glass walls sloped inward with a 7% slope. Seen from the elliptical shape is the Lexington Tower.

After taking this picture, I was told that I could not take pictures within the atrium area as it was private property. But, they graciously informed me I could continue taking pictures from the sidewalk, or from any other angle outside of the building's perimeter.

From a vantage point on the 27th floor of another building, this is the view of the Lexington Tower, which is now the eighth tallest building in New York City. A third of the tower is for residential use, the third top most.

Here is another angle from 59th and 3rd St. Built with a structural-steel frame system, at the bottom of the building's structure you will find your favorite commercial establishments such as a bank, a hardware store, a coffee house, a department store...you name it, you think it...and it might just be somewhere around the block.

Here are more photos I took as night time was setting in...from the sidewalk across the surrounding streets:

You are at ONE BEACON COURT.

As you can see, the entrance to the offices is marked by the Bloomberg sign, while the residential entrance is through the white-framed glass doors. Professional business groups in the world of finance can make an appointment to tour the Bloomberg Building, by booking an appointment in advance. But for a tourist like me, "sorry"...is what I got when I tried to make an appointment.

Just in case you happen to be walking by this area when you come to visit New York, slow down and you might catch a glimpse of Mayor Bloomberg, and possibly Beyonce and her husband Jay Z, Woody Allen and a host of other celebrities and prominent people. As for me, I was content to simply admire the architectural beauty, design, and movement of this building.

Market Day: Union Square, NYC

Saturday was coming up and my daughter asked me to set aside some time to go to Union Square to check out both the artists and produce markets. On April 18th, we were out the door at 9:45...on the subway. Little did we know that there was going to be some controversy.

These are paintings on used wood as the canvass...a good way to recycle 

odd-shaped and odd-sized wood.

I noticed the sign: "Stop harassing artists." I asked what that was about...Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration has launched a move to limit the number of vendors who sell art in Manhattan's busiest parks, including Union Square, Battery Park, the High Line Park and parts of Central Park.

Hundreds have gathered where the hearings are held, chanting "Artist power" and holding signs that accused the city of harassing artists.

What will happen to these artists? Where will they sell their artworks?

The artists are fighting. The reason cited for the city's move to reduce the artist population by 80% because the parks and squares are dangerously getting over crowded, is not acceptable to them.

This are the artists' perceptions of what is really behind Mayor Bloomberg's motive!

For now, they are still there, along with the other vendors...

Plants for spring gardening...

rescued kittens in search of new homes...

tie-dyed shirts...and other fashion accessories and gift items can be found as you walk around...

artisanal products from the local areas...

Regular and organic produce...

Here is something for the knitters, lambswool yarn.

Man's best friend...sorry, they are not for sale!

If you are going by car, factor in the cost of parking. It may not be such a good deal to go all the way to market day in Union Square unless you go there for other reasons. It could be well worth it!
---
For now, the city said there would be no immediate decision, but rather, the purpose of the hearings was to gather comments. In the meantime, the street artists have launched a creative campaign that portrays Mayor Bloomberg as a "destroyer of artists' rights."

I pray that this will all end to the mutual satisfaction of all parties involved.