NYC Urban Sketchers visits the Heart Tower.
The six-story base of the headquarters building was commissioned by the founder, William Randolph Hearst (Citizen Kane). The building was completed in 1928. That original cast stone facade has been designated a Landmark site. However the stone base was never the complete vision. The intention was alway to build a grand tower above that base. Then the Great Depression of 1929 happened and all those plans were abandoned.
Eighty years later the tower was completed. The architectural challenge was how to integrate a modern looking green high-rise with the art deco base. It was quite a challenge, and it created an artistic conversation that continues to this day. Was the integration successful? What is undeniaible is that the new interior of the tower is breath taking ... and closed to the public. We recieved special permission to sketch the gorgeous interior because one of our sketchers is a Hearst executive.
THE FIRST GREEN HIGH-RISE
Hearst Tower is the first "green" high-rise office building completed in New York City, with a number of environmental considerations built into the plan. The floor of the atrium is paved with heat conductive limestone. Rain collected on the roof is stored in a tank in the basement for use in the cooling system, to irrigate plants and for the water sculpture in the main lobby.The atrium features escalators which run through a 3-story water sculpture titled Icefall, a wide waterfall built with thousands of glass panels, which cools and humidifies the lobby air.
DETAILS
What: Sketch the Hearst Tower
Where: 300 West 57th St. NYC meet in the lobby by the security desk.
When: Meet at 10 AM
How: By Subway.
The Columbus Circle Stop of the A,C B, D or the 1 train, or go to the
57 Street Stop using the N,Q,R,W subway.
Lunch: 12:00 - 1:15 Bring your own or purchase food at The Turnstyle: under the Hearst building in the subway corridor. It's a modern market in a subway station featuring independent shops & vendors for food, coffee & sweets. There are also many shops in the Columbus Circle area to buy food. We'll eat together in the tower.
Afternoon: 1:30 - 3:00 - Back sketching at the Hearst Building -
Show and Tell: 3:00 at the same location where we ate lunch This is the social time of the day where we will share drawings, good stories and maybe even talk about art supplies.
NOTES:
- Bring a folding stool if you have one - it gives you more options.
- Be very careful of the limestone floors. our art materials can be staining. Be extra careful.
- Our Host and Event Coordinator is Leslie Sim in case you are asked by a guard.
If you can’t find us
call or text Mark at 973-809-9128
or Leslie 516-633-2340
There are no fees. All drawing skill levels are welcome
