I have long been an aficionado of Mid-Century architecture and design. Living in California for four years fueled my interest - the climate and the fact that so much of Cali was "new" when compared to NY made the value of Mid-Century design more prominent. We're not so lucky here in NYC -thus the long struggle to save the Saarinen TWA Terminal @ JFK (eventually won). It seems like something needs to be really old to pass muster with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commision, even just a quick glance at the homepage reveals that bias: Grand Central Terminal (a building that I love immeasurably) graces the top banner of the page. Curbed reported on the demolition of the Lapidus building on the south side of Union Square earlier this week. Of course they don't persisently ignore Mid-Century structures, but the bar seems to be set a good deal higher. (Note: I'm not an authority on the machinations of the NYLPC, so to an extent this is conjecture based on anecdotal evidence. I'm sure someone like say, Miss Representation can weigh in with more authority. (Yes, that's a hint. I know you're reading.))

Back to the Union Square Lapidus building. It was cool and quirky and weird. It was a fun building to be in. It had marble speckled floors and, I'm pretty sure, aluminum bannisters. It was an Odd-Job store so of course it was total chaos, but still you got the vibe that you weren't shoping in say KMart or even Odd-Job's might-have-been neighbor, the swank new Whole Foods that recently opened just east of the demo'd site. (See Gothamist for a first hand account of that new retail "experience".) Sure, the Lapidus building was no TWA terminal, but it was different than the stuff that surrounded it - actually, now that I think of it, the openess of its Union Square-facing facade had a very California feel to it.

There is still a great Lapidus building up in midtown - the DoubleTree Metropolitan Hotel is a white building with a sweeping curvy facade and turquoise details that feel much more Miami than midtown. It was a refreshing thing to lay eyes on as I walked down Lexington Avenue a few weeks ago. Hopefully that won't fall prey to the wrecking ball too.