One-Track Mind by Philip Ashforth Coppola

Author:Philip Ashforth Coppola
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
Published: 2018-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Columbus Circle Beam strips and ceiling frames 1 line

COLUMBUS CIRCLE

This was actually the very first station to receive its complete design from LaFarge’s drawing board, and it is an example of his most lavish use of faience, featuring plaques of Christopher Columbus’s Santa Maria and broad, modeled cornices. This extravagance was not lost on August Belmont II, the subway’s financier, and he again pleaded to have the architecture simplified. His injunction led to a future reduction on faience and marble wainscots and increased reliance on mosaics and terracotta.

But for all its status, this station at 59th Street was neglectfully treated when, about thirty years after it opened, a new construction project demolished many of the plaques, cornices, and name panels.

Recently, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Office of Station Design reversed Columbus Circle’s fortunes with a station facelift. The new design work is clad in terracotta, in homage to LaFarge’s décor, with broad, flat, green cornices and plaques announcing “59” in large raised numerals. The new mosaic name panels, complete with ivy, bells, fleurettes, and other decorative designs, are faithful to the originals.

Original faience caravels were cast by Grueby Faience Company of South Boston in 1902.

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