Robert C. Weinberg, critic discusses New York City architecture including:

150078A
This audio is largely a commentary on the Franklin National Bank at Howard Street in lower Manhattan. Weinberg talks about the private open space next to the bank and how the space will benefit the bank's business. Weinberg criticizes the brick and limestone construction of the bank building, which he says "borders on the cute."

150078B
Weinberg discusses the Seaman's Union headquarters, which is a "concrete battleship of unusual design", designed by the New Orleans architect Albert C. Ledner. The building is also known as the Joseph Curran Building.

150078C
Weinberg focuses this commentary on the practice on giving old buildings new facades. He discusses The New York Times building in Times Square, which had recently been renovated by the Allied Chemical Company. Weinberg believes the changes were an improvement from the original design. The renovation was undertaken by Smith, Smith Lundberg & Waehler.

150078D
Weinberg criticizes the new system of electronically controlled street lights meant to ease traffic congestion in the city. He comments on the appearance of new light stands on the streets of midtown Manhattan. He thinks they are short, clumsy, and ugly. In Weinberg's words they are "strictly utilitarian makeshifts", which the city installed with "a total disregard for visual appearance."

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 150078
Municipal archives id: T1103