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Mira

(22,378 posts)
Sun Jun 26, 2016, 10:43 PM Jun 2016

Iphone was all that was handy: Let me tell you about the father of the Empire State Building

In Winston-Salem NC, the RJReynolds Building is the fore runner of the Empire State Building. Same Architect. Same look. Just smaller. For us it was the tallest for a long time, and we were proud of it.
I learned that the staff of the Empire State Building to this day sends a father's day card to the staff at the RJR Building in my town.

Our building, after years of being vacant and guarded by armed watchmen has been inaccessible to the public. But now it has been sold, remodeled and turned into a very recently opened hotel, a restaurant and bar, condos, and apartments.
The Art deco was preserved, restored and refinished.

My kids took me to the restaurant last night for my birthday, and all but put blinders on me about where we were going.

All I can say is that I did not have a camera, and as much as I love art deco I was in the right place for my eyes to get a bit overflowing and my cheeks to get dewy. And I don't even cry (anymore)

It was a memorable night.

You guys know me, I will be back in there and take some real photos. I don't ask permission well, but when it comes to begging forgiveness, I'm a real champ.





The entrance of the building- constructed of Benedict Metal: an alloy of copper, tin, lead, zinc and nickel. It is no longer made.




14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Iphone was all that was handy: Let me tell you about the father of the Empire State Building (Original Post) Mira Jun 2016 OP
Thanks for sharing the experience, Mira, elleng Jun 2016 #1
I can't wait for your next visit. alfredo Jun 2016 #2
If only Mira Jun 2016 #3
Aw gosh alfredo Jun 2016 #7
Wow, my dear Mira! CaliforniaPeggy Jun 2016 #4
Yes, it was a treat. Mira Jun 2016 #5
The pictures are wonderful... Dalai_1 Jun 2016 #6
What a magnificent building. passiveporcupine Jun 2016 #8
Back in 1999 littlebit Jun 2016 #9
I lived in New York for ten years. I really miss seeing this building and the rest of the skyline. Chakab Jun 2016 #10
What a lovely surprise! mnhtnbb Jun 2016 #11
I love Art Deco Act_of_Reparation Jun 2016 #12
Wow! These are spectacular just as they are! Rhiannon12866 Jul 2016 #13
They are, and the building is, gorgeous. n/t qnr Jul 2016 #14

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,297 posts)
4. Wow, my dear Mira!
Sun Jun 26, 2016, 11:11 PM
Jun 2016

You took these phenomenal photos with your iPhone?

My God!

I think they're amazing and they really convey the beauty of the place.

What a wonderful birthday present from your children!

And thank you for sharing these with us.

Mira

(22,378 posts)
5. Yes, it was a treat.
Sun Jun 26, 2016, 11:31 PM
Jun 2016

I could not have stood for us ordering three dinners. One (yes, huge) steak was $ 95, and this is in the South of the US. I asked my son and he verified the the little bitty numbers were the dollar amounts of the prices.
We ordered appetizers, and then, like drunken sailors ordered more of the ones we loved, became connoisseurs or them and how they were presented. We utterly enjoyed ourselves, had plenty of food, and the final bill was easily twice what it would have been in a good local restaurant had we all ordered entrées.
Appreciation afforded awesome.

littlebit

(1,728 posts)
9. Back in 1999
Mon Jun 27, 2016, 12:38 AM
Jun 2016

I worked as courier. I use to take packages there at least three times a week. I never made it past the lobby but from what I saw it was awesome.

 

Chakab

(1,727 posts)
10. I lived in New York for ten years. I really miss seeing this building and the rest of the skyline.
Mon Jun 27, 2016, 12:50 AM
Jun 2016

Rhiannon12866

(202,970 posts)
13. Wow! These are spectacular just as they are!
Fri Jul 1, 2016, 03:58 AM
Jul 2016

I took three semesters of art history/architecture when I was in college, love buildings and these make you feel like you're there. What a beautiful building!

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