Birdseye Manhattan

Lower Manhattan '2002 - birdseye view. The picture was made 4 years ago. It catches Lower Manhattan's finnancial district looking south. On the first plan we have the massive shape of "One Chase Manhattan Plaza" (SOM architects '1959-60) also known as the Chase Manhattan Bank Building. Right of it we see 48 story high Marine Midland Bank Building (SOM Architects '1968), another representative of the international style in the area. The third tower, located in the lower right corner of the picture is the infamous One Liberty Plaza (SOM Architects '1974). It's construction effected with the demolition of the Singer Building - one of the city's most elegant beaux-arts skyscrapers.

In the center of the lower part of the picture we see the Liberty Tower, on of the oldest skyscrapers in the district. Behind the massive Chase Manhattan Bank rises the spire-topped pyramidal roof of the Bank Of The Manhattan Co. Building (arch. H. Craig Severance '1929) known as the crown jewel of the finnancial district. The massive postmodern skyscraper left of it is the former J.P. Morgan Bank HQ (arch. Kevin Roche '1989), today occupied by Deutsche Bank. A little more to the left rises the district's highest tower - the City Services Building at 70 Pine Street. (arch. Clinton & Russel, Holton & George '1932). Rising to the height of 290 meters above street level, it holds the title of Lower Manhattan's highest tower before WTC and after it's destruction.

At the right tip of the island Battery Park is visible. The wide street between The Marine midland bank and the Liberty Plaza is Broadway, New York's most famous street.

The picture was made with a Staedtler Noris 333 pen and eventually never got finished. The lineart is missing any shades or colors, ant that is probably not going to change in the nearby futre.

Date: 10.05.2002
Size: A4
Tool: pen
Time: 8 hours.