Viewing NYC Articles by Matt Coneybeare

[WATCH] Walking Spring Street in NYC's SoHo

2026-09-02T12:00:00-04:00

Join tour guide and comedian Tom Delgado for a lively walk down Spring Street in SoHo, exploring its unique architecture, fascinating history, and celebrity connections. Discover a building on Bowery, now home to the Supreme store, which was bought by photographer Jay Mazell for $102,000 in 1966 and sold for $55 million in 2015, having once hosted artists like Roy Lichtenstein. Learn about the street's name, derived from a natural spring, and its past as a commercial and industrial hub due to durable and affordable cast-iron buildings. Tom shares his personal experience living with seven roommates in an illegal loft conversion on nearby Elizabeth Street, leading him to move to Stuyvesant Town. The tour highlights historical sites like Lombardi's Pizzeria, founded by Gennaro Lombardi in 1892, the oldest pizzeria in NYC, and the former NYPD Headquarters, now luxury condos. The route also covers Petrosino Square, named after Joseph Petrosino, the first Italian-American NYPD officer. Experience the changing landscape of Hudson Square, now home to tech and media giants, and glimpse the Holland Tunnel entrance. The walk concludes at the Ear Inn, one of NYC's oldest bars, on the way to the West Side Highway.

The post [WATCH] Walking Spring Street in NYC's SoHo appeared first on Viewing NYC

[VIDEO] Why Nobody Wants the Chrysler Building

2026-09-01T12:00:00-04:00

New York City's iconic Chrysler Building is facing significant challenges, with its value plummeting from $800 million to $150 million due to aging infrastructure, neglected conditions, and a complex ground lease agreement. The building itself is owned separately from the land it stands on, which belongs to Cooper Union, an esteemed private college. The escalating ground lease payments, which are projected to reach $55 million annually by 2038, have severely impacted the building's profitability, leading to multiple ownership changes and recent receivership. Internally, tenants report issues from brown tap water and broken elevators to crumbling ceilings and pest infestations, while the exterior's famous spire is also leaking and in need of restoration. The building's unique Art Deco style, a result of a fierce competition between architects William Van Alen and Craig Severance to build the world's tallest skyscraper (culminating in Van Alen's secret spire addition to beat 40 Wall Street), is highlighted as a piece of architectural history. Despite its landmark status, the Chrysler Building does not receive government funding for maintenance, leaving the financial burden solely on its owners. While other historic structures like London's Battersea Power Station, New York's Flatiron Building (being converted to residential), and the Woolworth Building (repurposed into luxury penthouses) demonstrate successful retrofitting, the Chrysler Building requires a substantial $150-200 million investment to remain competitive in Manhattan's thriving office market. The question remains if this architectural jewel will find a buyer willing to commit the necessary resources to restore its former glory.

The post [VIDEO] Why Nobody Wants the Chrysler Building appeared first on Viewing NYC

[WATCH] Eating at The Eighty Six. The Most Exclusive Steakhouse in NYC

2026-08-30T12:00:00-04:00

In this video, James Andrews reviews The Eighty Six, a fictional and highly exclusive steakhouse located at 86 Bedford St in the West Village of New York City. The restaurant, which opened in September 2025 within the video's narrative, quickly became popular with celebrities like Taylor Swift. It occupies a historic building that once housed Chumley's, a speakeasy frequented by literary figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Andrews details his experience securing a walk-in table on a freezing day, showcasing the restaurant's Art Deco interior, luxurious menu, and top-notch hospitality. He enjoys a Bread and Butter Martini, a surprisingly large and flavorful 86 Waldorf Salad, a perfectly seasoned Bone-In Wagyu New York Strip, and a rich Creamed Corn Pot Pie. The meal concludes with a lemon sorbet palate cleanser and a Hemingway Pineapple dessert, a nod to the author's legacy. Andrews praises the overall dining experience, deeming it worth the wait, with special mention of the Friendly Apartment Building (exterior) visible nearby at 90 Bedford St.

The post [WATCH] Eating at The Eighty Six. The Most Exclusive Steakhouse in NYC appeared first on Viewing NYC

[WATCH] How New York Got Its Fire Escapes

2026-08-28T12:00:00-04:00

This video explores the divergent paths New York City and Chicago took in developing their fire safety regulations, leading to unique architectural expressions in each city. New York, characterized by its dense, inward growth and crowded tenements, faced the pressing issue of residents being trapped during fires. This led to the adoption of external fire escapes, especially after devastating events like the 1860 Elm Street fire and the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911. In contrast, Chicago's outward expansion and prevalent use of wood construction made fire spread its primary concern, culminating in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Following pressure from insurance companies, Chicago shifted its focus to fire-resistant building materials and internal safety features. Today, while both cities' fire codes have evolved to be more aligned, New York's distinctive fire escapes remain an integral and often preserved element of its older buildings, whereas Chicago's fire safety is more subtly integrated into its architectural fabric.

The post [WATCH] How New York Got Its Fire Escapes appeared first on Viewing NYC

[VIDEO] Robert Caro on Writing The Power Broker

2026-08-27T12:00:00-04:00

Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Robert Caro delves into the origins of his monumental work, The Power Broker, a biography of New York's influential urban planner Robert Moses. Caro explains how he was initially stuck on organizing the vast material until an impromptu speech by Moses, focusing on the public's ingratitude towards "great men," provided the thematic backbone for the book. He recounts the unique experience of interviewing Moses at his summer home, surrounded by the monuments Moses built, giving him profound insights into the man's genius and vision for connecting the region with roads like the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and the Belt Parkway, despite local opposition on Fire Island. Caro also shares a touching anecdote about working in the New York Public Library alongside fellow historian James Thomas Flexner, finding inspiration and relief in shared dedication to extensive research.

The post [VIDEO] Robert Caro on Writing The Power Broker appeared first on Viewing NYC

[WATCH] Never Ever Surf in New York City's East River

2026-08-26T12:00:00-04:00

After a night of storms in New York City, the host heads to Brooklyn via the Williamsburg Bridge, reminiscing about a past skateboarding accident there. He arrives at Bushwick Inlet Park to meet two friends, including avid surfer Ben Gravy, who are attempting to surf the small waves of the East River. Ben shares that he started his YouTube surfing channel in 2015 to maintain sobriety and now does it out of pure love for the sport. The host then transitions to a philosophical discussion about social media and creativity, referencing the book Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better by David Epstein. He uses an analogy of potato chips as social media—tasty initially but ultimately unfulfilling and distracting. He highlights filmmaker Christopher Nolan's choice to avoid smartphones to maintain focus, calling digital devices “digital shackles.” Inspired by this, the host removed social media from his phone, which he believes has increased his own creative output and allowed for more meaningful experiences, contrasting them with the "brain numb" feeling after endless scrolling.

The post [WATCH] Never Ever Surf in New York City's East River appeared first on Viewing NYC

[VIDEO] A Day Making NYC’s Most Hyped Sandwiches

2026-08-25T12:00:00-04:00

Bon Appétit goes behind the scenes at Salvo's, a popular New York City eatery run by chef and owner Salvatore La Rosa. Starting as a home kitchen operation delivering sandwiches from a mototaxi, Salvo's has evolved into a bustling brick-and-mortar shop. The video showcases the daily grind, from preparing hearty slow-cooked Neapolitan ragù and eggplant parm to assembling fried mortadella sandwiches. Salvatore also details the logistics of managing staff, distributors, and bakers, including daily bread deliveries from Otway Bakery in Brooklyn, highlighting the collaborative effort behind their acclaimed menu.

The post [VIDEO] A Day Making NYC’s Most Hyped Sandwiches appeared first on Viewing NYC

[WATCH] Why This NYC Neighborhood Is so Expensive

2026-08-24T12:00:00-04:00

This video delves into why New York City, and particularly the West Village, has become exorbitantly expensive. The unique street grid of the West Village, unlike the rest of Manhattan, is a result of the 1811 Commissioners' Plan which exempted already established, populated areas like the then rural Greenwich Village. This historical quirk, combined with its cultural significance as the birthplace of American bohemia, attracting artists, writers, and musicians like Mark Twain, Bob Dylan, and Billie Holiday, and its role in the LGBTQ+ rights movement exemplified by the Stonewall Inn riots, made it a neighborhood worth fighting for. In the 1960s, urban activist Jane Jacobs successfully led efforts to preserve the West Village's historic character against modernization plans, resulting in a zoning freeze that severely restricted new construction. The ironic consequence of this successful preservation is a limited housing supply in a highly desirable area, leading to extreme property values and rental prices (median rent over $6,000/month). Today, the West Village is largely inhabited by affluent young professionals and celebrities, contributing to a homogenous, aspirational culture often criticized as "vanilla" or "TikTokification," starkly contrasting its historically diverse and counter-cultural roots.

The post [WATCH] Why This NYC Neighborhood Is so Expensive appeared first on Viewing NYC

[VIDEO] Irish People Brutally Rank NYC’s Most Famous 'Irish' Bars

2026-08-23T12:00:00-04:00

Two Irish natives, Kaelan and Samantha, travel to New York City to put its most famous 'Irish' pubs to the test, judging them on atmosphere, Guinness quality, and overall authenticity. They visit four establishments: The Dead Rabbit, McSorley's Old Ale House, Mary O's, and Connolly's Pub & Restaurant. While The Dead Rabbit and Mary O's receive high praise for their genuine Irish feel, good Guinness, and unique offerings like homemade scones, Connolly's is deemed too big and touristy. McSorley's is appreciated for its historic charm and distinctive brews, despite strict no-filming policies. The duo shares their honest opinions, helping fellow travelers find an authentic Irish pub experience in the city.

The post [VIDEO] Irish People Brutally Rank NYC’s Most Famous 'Irish' Bars appeared first on Viewing NYC

[WATCH] NYC's Hottest Steakhouse Only Has 10 Tables

2026-08-22T12:00:00-04:00

The video spends a day with Chef Michael Vignola at his West Village restaurant, The Eighty Six. This historic NYC steakhouse, a former haunt of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, operates with just ten tables in a small, hyper-designed space. Chef Michael Vignola showcases their unique approach to dry-aging meats, including a 107-day aged coffee and tobacco-crusted Wagyu, as well as a variety of Japanese Wagyu fillets and house-aged Jurgielewicz ducks. The kitchen staff demonstrates their meticulous butchery and prep work for items like Japanese sardines and live sea scallops. The team at The Eighty Six, celebrated for being the number 12 best steakhouse in the world and number one in the US, emphasizes consistency and passion in their culinary craft.

The post [WATCH] NYC's Hottest Steakhouse Only Has 10 Tables appeared first on Viewing NYC