March 18, 2005

Friday night Dumpster diving at the Flatiron

Is there anything more romantic than stumbling out of the annual meeting with the tax man on a Friday evening and realizing you're only half a block from the Dumpster loaded with the detritus of the Flatiron's renovation?

Contrary to an earlier report, the bin is once again loaded with goodies. There was no tarp this evening, so the spouse and I dug through the trash from the edges and found a few pieces worth snagging. Two stamped bricks -- "M&L W" and "Bourne" -- plus a chunk of concrete with some sort of curved flourish. The bricks fit in my jacket pockets, though I had to carry the chunk of concrete on my lap as I rode the subway home. I tried not to make the crazy eyes lest the other passengers think I was toting it for protection.

The AIA Guide to New York City says the Flatiron, originally known as the Fuller Building, was built in 1901 to 1903. However, the facade was restored in 1991. So I may have just hauled home some bricks as old as Sonic the Hedgehog.

Earlier: Dumpster diving for shards of the Flatiron Building

March 18, 2005 11:56 PM in Architecture

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