Wednesday, September 16th, 2026, 6:30pm
Join us in welcoming Carol Herselle Krinsky as she discusses the Modern architecture of 42nd Street. Her talk will draw from her recently published e-book, Building 42nd Street: A Chronicle: 17th century to December 31, 2024. The book describes the changes in architecture, planning, business, transportation, and other aspects of city development over the past centuries on one of Manhattan's three great streets. It includes buildings from river to river: skyscrapers, high-rise apartments, lavish and modest hotels, theaters and tenements, buildings for culture and charity, North America's greatest train station and its premier urban library.
https://nyu.manifoldapp.org/projects/building-42nd-street
Krinsky will tell the stories of 42nd Street’s Modern landmarks such as the Ford Foundation (1967), designed by Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo & Associates, described by Ada Louise Huxtable prior to its completion as “one of the most important and beautiful structures anywhere”; the enormous Socony-Mobil Building (1956), designed by Harrison & Abramovitz with John B. Peterkin, when completed the largest metal clad office building in the world; and Gordon Bunshaft’s W. R. Grace Building (1972). She will also examine less known Modern buildings along 42nd Street by important architects such as Emery Roth & Sons, Kahn & Jacobs, and William Lescaze, including the former Pfizer Headquarters (1960) by Emery Roth & Sons, now being converted to apartments, and the Sheraton Motor Inn (1962), designed by Morris Lapidus, now the Consulate General of China.
Distinguished architectural historian Carol Herselle Krinsky is Professor Emerita of Art History at New York University where she taught for fifty-nine years. Her other books include Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore Owings & Merrill, Rockefeller Center, and Synagogues of Europe. She is a past President of the Society of Architectural Historians.
Wednesday, September 16th, 6:30pm
Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP
120 Broadway, New York
Please note: Government issued photo identification is required to enter 120 Broadway.
Reception to follow
Tickets: $10 DOCOMOMO Members; $20 General Admission.
Capacity limited. Advance Registration Required. Registration closes September 15th.
DOCOMOMO US / New York Tri-State wishes to thank Beyer Blinder Belle for hosting this event.
