Cross & Cross Built This City

The Cross brothers were urban architects

mainly in the New York area in the early 1900's. 

They grew up with connections 

and breeding. 

Their projects ranged from skyscrapers

 to residential apartments, to country estates,

gardens and community clubs. 

Have you been to the 

Tiffany Building

 on 57th and 5th?

That's a Cross and Cross example.

The buildings they built are now growing

taller in the air space above

the original plot.

I love the massiveness  of

their work.  

Solid and organized.

 There are amazing details.

Ethnic influences, deco designs

 and staggering

motifs flank these buildings.

407 Park Avenue

I love this building.

They built many of these small 

buildings up

and down the avenues.

Each lobby had embellishments

to die for. 

Animals, ships, fauna, every

element was used.  

Working with big industry 

Cross and Cross

naturally were brought in to do

 large estates and

residences.

These traditional homes with

so many chic elements, show a slight

of hand compared to the massive

building projects.

They are just beautiful...and being demolished

rapidly unfortunately.

I love their style.  They look rooted yet

comfortable with a touch of intelligence.

My favorite building by

Cross and Cross

is the

RCA Victor Building

in New York City.

Imagine the times ... sound, movies, radios,

 the electricity that was running a 

nation would be

represented by this building.

It looks like a temple 

of gold.

 There are so many details

it is just layer upon layer 

if you look closely.

  Cross and Cross 

knew that this building represented

 the power of electricity

 and the tower of the building 

reached for the sky.

 Gold, copper, marble, stone

it was all used.

 Aztec, industrial, nouveau, 

Greek mythology. 

 The effigies on the top measure

 54 feet each. 

I really loved this book, it told 

the tale of a city that I love.

But, one of the best parts is that the floor plans 

that are included are fabulous.

I am a floor plan junkie.

So take a look at this book.  We don't really

look closely these days at the details that go

into buildings like these.  So keep 

looking up.

Cross and Cross 

Transformed 

New York City.

This book was published by 

Monacelli Press

 and is just beautiful.

Photo credit:  Jonathan Wallen