Purchase Building Pwn3d

By on August 3, 2008 6:51 pm in DUMBO

The art deco Purchase Building, which Brownstoner says was “hung out to dry” by the Landmarks Preservation Commission is in the process of being demolished to make way for Brooklyn Bridge Park. We caught a glimpse of its soon to be gone ruins on Sunday.

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  • Andrew Porter

    I walked by today, and almost all of it is gone except for a corner at New Dock and Front Streets, and the art deco concrete entranceway. The glass in the doorway has been smashed up, but might still be reclaimed, as well as the lettering. Betcha they don’t preserve it, though.

    On the New York Public Library Digital Library there is a very extensive collection of photos of the landfill to extend New Dock Street, and the construction of the building itself. Over a hundred photos, so it will not be forgotten. They’re all WPA photos, not candid shots. Check it out, gang.

  • my2cents

    I liked that building a lot, but sometimes you have to break eggs to make an omelette. It is not a particularly outstanding example of art deco, so I think thr LPC chose to shrug and look the other way.

  • nabeguy

    Less art deco than Moderne, of which it was a very good example. Sad to see it go, since I used to sneak into the scrap yard when I was a kid. Always good for some crazy and spooky artifacts, like the time in the mid 60’s when it was filled with all the discarded iron lungs from municipal hospitals after polio was cured. My freinds and I, being only 11 or so and none too bright, pretended they were submarines.

  • clarknt67

    god, I’d love to get my hands on that lettering

  • nabeguy

    Kind of ironic that nothing from this former salvage yard will actually be salvaged.

  • goober

    another crime. another building lost. all for a park that will be a benefit but mostly for the wealthy that live next to it. as the economy changes a working water front not a park would be the way of the future. sad.

  • Jazz

    Goober you should move to RUSSIA.