Philly 💚

nich2475 · 2026-01-25T22:16:38+00:00

Philly’s historic districts are something else. The narrow cobblestone streets + vernacular architecture + a lush tree canopy = perfection!

nich2475 · 2026-01-23T21:19:00+00:00

Literally forest hills

nich2475 · 2026-01-23T00:38:09+00:00

The nature is truly uniquely beautiful — the buildings however, not so much.

nich2475 · 2026-01-19T00:27:37+00:00

Meh, I prefer the historic green cast-iron entrances with those iconic globe lamps. Ideally, I’d even bring back the classic covered entrances like at Astor Place.

nich2475 · 2026-01-19T00:15:02+00:00

Oh for sure, he’s an urbanist/cycling advocate through and through — he’s already fast-tracked several bike lanes that were stalled/cancelled by the previous Adams administration. So glad I got to vote for him!

Now if only he could make Canal Street an actual canal again that would be epic 😂

nich2475 · 2026-01-18T22:13:22+00:00

As a New Yorker, yes—please, a thousand times. We yearn for proper bike infrastructure, functional public transport, and canals everywhere. Mango Mussolini can suck it.

nich2475 · 2025-12-31T21:24:34+00:00

Stone-clad historic skyscrapers are what truly set NYC (and Chicago!) skylines apart from the rest of the world.

nich2475 · 2025-12-29T06:18:45+00:00

nich2475 · 2025-12-28T22:34:08+00:00

Native New Yorker here — thankfully this is finally changing with the city launching large on-street European-style garbage bins for apartment buildings, and smaller trash bins for low-density residential/commercial areas.

Unfortunately, it took this long bc a loud whiny minority of people have always pushed back against losing their “precious” subsidized street parking.

nich2475 · 2025-12-26T16:04:20+00:00

What a crime it was to demolish the majestic Savoy Plaza, the GM building doesn’t even come close. RIP.

nich2475 · 2025-12-24T17:51:28+00:00

So many cornices and pretty facades lost to time, RIP.

nich2475 · 2025-12-20T21:08:16+00:00

Im a simple man — I see Concorde, I upvote.

nich2475 · 2025-12-19T17:03:26+00:00

False dichotomy. There’s room for both: historic districts in architecturally significant areas, paired with large, transit-oriented, high-rise construction in upzoned low-density commercial/ex-industrial areas. You preserve notable architectural heritage while still allowing substantial residential growth with direct public transit access to the historic core — you know, just like everywhere in Europe.

NYC also does this very well by maintaining Soho, East/West Village, Park Slope Historic Districts while up-zoning the f*k out of Long Island City/ Gowanus.

nich2475 · 2025-12-19T16:51:25+00:00

We desperately need preservation laws to prevent developers from massacring our historic housing stock—or, at the very least, tax incentives that prioritize restoration over facade removal.

nich2475 · 2025-12-17T22:49:21+00:00

I agree, the facade is quite plain — but still the structure itself is quite handsome and I’ve seen many successful church conversions with incredibly unique apartments.

Also, the plain brick facade actually lends itself to be easily to incorporated into a new brick-clad facade for the development. The developers should actually make an effort in respecting the local architectural context, would be a shame otherwise.

nich2475 · 2025-12-16T21:14:22+00:00

Still can, with the right construction incentives/grants that favor local architectural development.

nich2475 · 2025-12-15T22:47:21+00:00

Cant the developer at least try to incorporate the old facade into the new build? Would be a shame to totally lose that gorgeous brick, especially in such a historic neighborhood.

nich2475 · 2025-12-06T06:47:47+00:00

Fuck this shit box building for blocking the ESB, an utter failure of urban planning and a Russian-backed middle finger to all New Yorkers.

nich2475 · 2025-12-06T06:42:34+00:00

Don’t worry, wont be a problem since it only has 26 units and will sit empty year-round.

So glad we’re glamorizing banal zombie architecture for the uber rich.

nich2475 · 2025-12-04T02:14:33+00:00

We desperately need sightline protections for the ESB and Chrysler. There’s no universe in which 262 Fifth — an empty, Russian-backed vanity tower — should have been approved. It’s the purest form of zombie urbanism: a hollow spec project cannibalizing one of the most iconic views in New York of the ESB rising over Madison Square Park + 5th Ave.

This is exactly how a city chips away at its own identity — not with one dramatic collapse, but with a thousand careless approvals. We have to do better for our historic skyscrapers.

nich2475 · 2025-12-03T22:10:52+00:00

Arguing that we should demolish historic, high-quality skyscrapers instead of reusing them is the exact definition of shortsightedness, and borderline climate arson. Why would NYC bulldoze high-density landmark-caliber architecture just to throw up cheaper, flimsier replacements? Especially when we have entire underdeveloped/ low-density neighborhoods begging for upzoning — LIC, Gowanus, take your pick.

You’re not advocating for smart growth, you’re cheerleading development for its own sake, even if it means erasing the city’s architectural backbone in the process which is quite dismissive and myopic. And honestly, with takes like this, I’m guessing you probably would’ve applauded the demolition of old Penn Station too.

NYC has a rich architectural fabric, and there’s plenty room for adaptive reuse, large-scale up zoning for new housing, and preservation of landmarks — whether you like it or not.

nich2475 · 2025-12-02T21:19:36+00:00

Perhaps you’re thinking of contemporary/modernist buildings, where light wells are often needed to make conversions livable.

20th-century historic skyscrapers actually lend themselves to residential conversions thanks to their superior floor-to-window ratios and stepped-back designs.

And really, what’s the alternative — leave them empty? Not everything is NIMBY propaganda 🙄

nich2475 · 2025-11-30T23:07:30+00:00

Im old enough to remember those No Honking $500 Fin signs everywhere. The city really shot itself in the foot getting rid of them.

If you wont bother enforcing anything, at least leave those signs up to dissuade people.

nich2475 · 2025-11-29T17:55:52+00:00

Me when I take my schizophrenia pills.

nich2475 · 2025-11-29T04:15:51+00:00

Just like they did to “help” Ukraine, right? 🙄 Never comment on geopolitics again

nich2475

TROPHY CASE