Last Thursday, July 30, NY Historical Tours visited Roosevelt Island.Eastern Consolidated Real Estate Investment Sales joined the Roosevelt Island tour and tweeted their journey from Lighthouse Park to FDR Four Freedoms Park and stops in between.
Join us at 10am for another tour with @BisnowNY, @adelaidepol + @NYCHistoryTour! This time around we’re exploring #RooseveltIsland! Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
We’re headed over to #RooseveltIsland by means of the tramway @ 60th+2nd, one of several @MTA transit options. pic.twitter.com/Y7Da9dGyuD
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
From @NYCHistoryTour: the tram run by @RIOCny also operates a majority of the free buses on #RooseveltIsland as well. pic.twitter.com/0DDJwR1txL
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
.@NYCHistoryTour Before transit options, this info booth was an elevator stop coming down from the Queensboro Bridge. pic.twitter.com/UuGtBsNWlc
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
.@NYCHistoryTour In the 1600s, #RooseveltIsland was Manning Island before turning into Blackwell Island. Dutch also named it Hog Island. Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
When bought by NYC in the early 1800s, the island was used for penitentiaries and hospitals. This led to the name of Welfare Island (1/2) Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
.@NYCHistoryTour Name #RooseveltIsland coined in the 60s to pay tribute to FDR and rebrand the island’s reputation. pic.twitter.com/ZNUNeZO0eG
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
For 14K #RooseveltIsland residents, retail options are slim but expanding. Most $ is spent off the isle @adelaidepol pic.twitter.com/ImE6dcCtOB
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Riverwalk, the only bar on the isle, according to @NYCHistoryTour + the owner has admitted to taking a loss for now. pic.twitter.com/h0EzMGeJdp
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
But retailers know the impending effects of @cornell_tech and new residents coming in just a few years. –@NYCHistoryTour
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
New residential development projects are on the rise, which will have expansive views of #LongIslandCity. pic.twitter.com/Xb45jY3An3
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Kevin Draper @NYCHistoryTour talks Rockefeller University, complex on Manhattan’s waterfront expanding over the FDR. pic.twitter.com/SBbXvlKupq
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Blackwell Family House, landmarked bldg that’s the 6th oldest house in NYC from 1796! @NYCHistoryTour pic.twitter.com/PCvlKjc3n1
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Blackwell House provides a stark contrast from 1970s Brutalist residences. @NYCHistoryTour #RooseveltIsland pic.twitter.com/8n3waPHtOW
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Once low-income housing, today certain bldgs converting to free market apts give residents options to buy homes. pic.twitter.com/Jtcu79SYGy
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
#RooseveltIsland‘s Main St curves provide allusion of expansiveness + European-ness unlike standard USA main streets. pic.twitter.com/ngYELZgBbg
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Mae West, arrested for 10 days for her scandalous Bway show “Sex,” was one famous temp resident of #RooseveltIsland. @NYCHistoryTour
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Another island landmark, Chapel of the Good Shepherd, is now a community facility. @adelaidepol #RooseveltIsland pic.twitter.com/5BlXbRnqnO
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Built in 1889, this church turned community facility is a meeting place for #RooseveltIsland residents and visitors. pic.twitter.com/TTgkkbIRgV
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Entering Island House, a large resi complex, you can see the incredible views of some of the Manhattan-facing apts. pic.twitter.com/tNe8BInwih
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Between river views and open windows, some residences almost feel like cruise ships on #RooseveltIsland. pic.twitter.com/FCKLeP188z
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
#RooseveltIsland in 70s touted as a tech-oriented future, w clean air buses, electric cars, and now, solar powered bldgs. @NYCHistoryTour
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Stopping by local retailer Main St Sweets for a reprise from the heat, “the sweetest game in town!” #RooseveltIsland pic.twitter.com/tdzpmSTAZX
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
According to the owner of Main St Sweets, the test market for @FreshDirect delivery service was right here on #RooseveltIsland! Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Walking north, we pass the only parking complex near the bridge to QNS, an affordable parking option for commuters. pic.twitter.com/jFeU6yAX13
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
One of the challenges in updating retail, is modernizing stores and drawing slightly larger retail crowds. @adelaidepol
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
#RooseveltIsland + @WaltDisneyWorld: some of the very few locs w AVAC systems that eliminate the need for garbage trucks. @NYCHistoryTour
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
River artwork cheekily shows off #NYC‘s relationship between $$ + #RealEstate according to @NYCHistoryTour. pic.twitter.com/GPx8BbiPLT
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
One of the more unique riverfront sections on #RooseveltIsland is styled like a ship front. pic.twitter.com/SUXKbnVSTD
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
The Octagon bldg, a former insane asylum (!), is now a mixed-use residence which has been fashionably converted. pic.twitter.com/pcuHjjjJ3L
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
The lighthouse was built after many boats crashed from the river’s incredibly strong currents @NYCHistoryTour pic.twitter.com/1kpAzL6wBR
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
From here we see Hell’s Gate Bridge whose engineer worked on the similar Sydney Harbor Bridge @NYCHistoryTour pic.twitter.com/og6Lf8cz74
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
10 Days in a Madhouse, written from a reporter who entered herself to the frmr Octagon asylum was a catalyst for psychiatric care + reform. Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Visiting Island House again, we’re checking out a free market apt on the market which has been totally gut renovated. pic.twitter.com/HtPb5BaYS5
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Of those buying new apts, 80% of current buyers are not from #RooseveltIsland recently, according to @Corcoran_Group Broker Deanna Kory. Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Headed south, the Smallpox Hospital was for all infected by smallpox, from rich to poor. @NYCHistoryTour
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Braving some rain, headed south to see @cornell_tech site which will draw thousands of students to #RooseveltIsland pic.twitter.com/kBoxbeYdnG
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Near entry of FDR Park the Smallpox Hospital designed by James Renwick who also made St. Patrick’s @NYCHistoryTour pic.twitter.com/jSv6su7ZYw
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Old smallpox hospital. Slightly creepy? pic.twitter.com/cdNBgEGMbg
Dave Ceule (@DCoolDog) July 30, 2015
Recently Hillary Clinton announced her candidacy for presidency right here @4FreedomsPark! pic.twitter.com/z31vTvBABh
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
The @UN is the appropriate backdrop for the beautiful @4FreedomsPark, keeping in mind FDR’s legacy. @NYCHistoryTour pic.twitter.com/gkx2KvErKG
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Every stone + tree of the orig. @4FreedomsPark design by Kahn in the 70s was made to plan when built @NYCHistoryTour pic.twitter.com/0TYUsZgq3z
Eastern Consolidated (@EasternConsol) July 30, 2015
Roosevelt Island covered from point to point. Time to head back to the big island. pic.twitter.com/it23aI7FZw
Dave Ceule (@DCoolDog) July 30, 2015