Oh good, I was on the fence about keeping that particular line! I thought I might’ve gone just a bit too far, but you’ve validated my excesses. Thank you!
So happy you decided to keep it, Thank You!! Just please write what you feel like, you won’t go overboard with us (I’m including the other readers here). Your writing has a flow to it and you pick your words well. It would be a pity if something like the alliterative amalgamation got edited away.
I can’t believe you don’t know about him! You’ve probably seen his work. He was like the Anne Kadet of illustration. He had the goal of drawing every person in New York. He made it to 30,000. He also founded the Taco Bell Drawing Club which is just what it sounds like. Died way too young a few years ago
I think the pressure of figuring out how to build a tunnel 92’ under the Hudson that didn’t kill people was what did it. I’m pretty sure the fans run on Dunkin’
I interned in Jerry Nadler's office at Houston and Varick for a few months back in 2004. And I've spent many hours at Film Forum half a block away.
That bridge illustration from 1911 is amazing. A bridge in between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges — what a ludicrous idea. How many of the bridges/tunnels in this illustration were actually seriously considered, though?
Jan Celes was a scoundrel, wow! What a wonderful post again- the bridge madness is fascinating- coming from the other side of the tunnel, this post taught me a lot and, I haven't been at the Ear Inn in ages. Thank you Rob!
My last startup was located in Hudson Square (though we called it West Soho!). This was 10 years ago now (yikes!) and we were part of an incubator space on the top floor of a new building at the time with near 365 degree views of Manhattan. One of the views was the entrance to the traffic going into the Holland tunnel at rush hour. I was so super fascinated by the daily traffic patterns and watching the street get congested with cars waiting to drive through he tunnel—which still amazes me, by the way, how the hell they built that thing in the early 1900s. I realized that I haven't really walked around that neighborhood much since then. I'm sure it's all different now!
I think most people call still probably call it West Soho, but the Hudson Square branding team is working overtime to change minds. It's mind boggling how massive building projects like the Holland Tunnel were accomplished in the early 20th century. The sandhogs and their tunnel boring machines are the the stuff of sci-fi movies.
I wonder if it will get confused with Hudson Yards - another neighborhood I worked near right up until the pandemic (though we called it West Chelsea). Even when I saw your email come in, I immediately thought of Hudson Yards and only then realized your newsletter this week was about Hudson Square.
Love your article, specially the paragraph on alliterative amalgamation of artisans and auteurs! Second time in a row that you made me laugh.
Oh good, I was on the fence about keeping that particular line! I thought I might’ve gone just a bit too far, but you’ve validated my excesses. Thank you!
So happy you decided to keep it, Thank You!! Just please write what you feel like, you won’t go overboard with us (I’m including the other readers here). Your writing has a flow to it and you pick your words well. It would be a pity if something like the alliterative amalgamation got edited away.
Thanks Raquel! So nice of you to say!
Okay, I give up. Who is Jason Pollan?
I can’t believe you don’t know about him! You’ve probably seen his work. He was like the Anne Kadet of illustration. He had the goal of drawing every person in New York. He made it to 30,000. He also founded the Taco Bell Drawing Club which is just what it sounds like. Died way too young a few years ago
Oh wow! I will for sure read up on this!
And so many questions about the Holland Tunnel. What precipitated the nervous breakdown? Are the 80-foot fans powered by squirrels?
I think the pressure of figuring out how to build a tunnel 92’ under the Hudson that didn’t kill people was what did it. I’m pretty sure the fans run on Dunkin’
LOL
And your writing is extra fun this one. Just sayin’.
Thanks!
I interned in Jerry Nadler's office at Houston and Varick for a few months back in 2004. And I've spent many hours at Film Forum half a block away.
That bridge illustration from 1911 is amazing. A bridge in between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges — what a ludicrous idea. How many of the bridges/tunnels in this illustration were actually seriously considered, though?
Definitely a bit of fanciful thinking there with the bridges. Film Forum is a treasure
Jan Celes was a scoundrel, wow! What a wonderful post again- the bridge madness is fascinating- coming from the other side of the tunnel, this post taught me a lot and, I haven't been at the Ear Inn in ages. Thank you Rob!
Thanks Nat! The Ear Inn is an institution. Might have to catch an EarRegulars show there soon.
My last startup was located in Hudson Square (though we called it West Soho!). This was 10 years ago now (yikes!) and we were part of an incubator space on the top floor of a new building at the time with near 365 degree views of Manhattan. One of the views was the entrance to the traffic going into the Holland tunnel at rush hour. I was so super fascinated by the daily traffic patterns and watching the street get congested with cars waiting to drive through he tunnel—which still amazes me, by the way, how the hell they built that thing in the early 1900s. I realized that I haven't really walked around that neighborhood much since then. I'm sure it's all different now!
I think most people call still probably call it West Soho, but the Hudson Square branding team is working overtime to change minds. It's mind boggling how massive building projects like the Holland Tunnel were accomplished in the early 20th century. The sandhogs and their tunnel boring machines are the the stuff of sci-fi movies.
I wonder if it will get confused with Hudson Yards - another neighborhood I worked near right up until the pandemic (though we called it West Chelsea). Even when I saw your email come in, I immediately thought of Hudson Yards and only then realized your newsletter this week was about Hudson Square.
You have all the Hudsons covered! Have you thought of opening an upstate studio in the town of Hudson?
Funny you should say. I was looking at hotels there just last week for a weekend getaway.
It was meant to be!
Great article as always. Where was the giant doughnut though?
Thanks Will! The giant doughnut was in the lobby of some new development. There were other "art" pieces of a similar vibe in there too.
What a great multimedia tour of Hudson Square! Loved it, especially the story of the Holland Tunnel and the history of the estates. Thanks!
Thanks Renato! Building things underneath rivers has always amazed me, especially when that building happened 100 years ago.
Great history, thank you. May the Ear Inn flourish !
Absolutely! Thank you!