Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

brooklynite

(93,880 posts)
Mon Jul 27, 2020, 06:58 AM Jul 2020

The Virus Turns Midtown Into a Ghost Town, Causing an Economic Crisis

New York Times

Editors and account managers at the Time & Life Building in Midtown Manhattan could once walk out through the modernist lobby and into a thriving ecosystem that existed in support of the offices above. They could shop for designer shirts or shoes, slide into a steakhouse corner booth for lunch and then return to their desks without ever crossing the street.

To approach this block today is like visiting a relative in the hospital. The building, rebranded a few years ago and renovated to fit 8,000 workers, now has just 500 a day showing up. The steakhouse dining rooms are dark.

On a sidewalk once lined with food carts, a lone hot-dog vendor stood one recent Friday on a corner below the building. His name is Ahmed Ahmed, and he said he used to sell 400 hot dogs a day.

How many now? “Maybe 10.”

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Virus Turns Midtown Into a Ghost Town, Causing an Economic Crisis (Original Post) brooklynite Jul 2020 OP
Similar experience in my building MANative Jul 2020 #1
Yes, that is certain to hit NYC RE magnates like... oh, I dunno.... Dump? CurtEastPoint Jul 2020 #2
Thanx for posting! Interesting perspective. Botany Jul 2020 #5
from the photo in the article, looks like Ahmed and his customer are sreaders Blues Heron Jul 2020 #3
You will get tired of winning ... so much winning. D. Trump Botany Jul 2020 #4

MANative

(4,105 posts)
1. Similar experience in my building
Mon Jul 27, 2020, 07:11 AM
Jul 2020

Working primarily from home, but on the few occasions I've ventured into the office (39th and Broadway), it's been deserted. Used to have to wait a few minutes to get space in an elevator during morning and evening rush. Now, you get a private ride. Social distancing unnecessary because there's no one else around.

We're thinking about moving to a smaller space because more than a quarter of our employees are fully WFH, and the rest are only going in two days per week. I wouldn't want to be in the NYC real estate business right now.

CurtEastPoint

(18,553 posts)
2. Yes, that is certain to hit NYC RE magnates like... oh, I dunno.... Dump?
Mon Jul 27, 2020, 07:14 AM
Jul 2020

But seriously, it is a sea change all over the US. BECAUSE of him.

Botany

(70,292 posts)
5. Thanx for posting! Interesting perspective.
Mon Jul 27, 2020, 08:06 AM
Jul 2020

All across America things are gonna change and or close*. I have heard that 25%
of all restaurants are going to go under. And none of this would be happening if
Hillary hadn't had the Presidency stolen from her.



* I think Macy's is in real trouble.

Blues Heron

(5,899 posts)
3. from the photo in the article, looks like Ahmed and his customer are sreaders
Mon Jul 27, 2020, 07:18 AM
Jul 2020

fuck spreaders. Look in the mirror Ahmed - your spreading behavior plus a zillion other spreaders like you is why your customers won't be coming back any time soon to nosh on your boiled cow lips.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»The Virus Turns Midtown I...