Colonnade Row, located in the heart of New York's vibrant East Village, is a testament to the city's rich and vibrant history. Known by an array of names over the decades, including La Grange Terrace and Astor Place, it comprises nine Greek Revival-style townhouses, three of which survive in their original form today. This distinctive architectural exemplar not only pays homage to a bygone era but also acts as a pleasing oasis amid the metropolis's sprawling hubbub. Steeped in historical intrigue and offering a unique view of old New York, Colonnade Row represents a stunning, not-to-be-missed attraction.
Constructed between 1830 and 1833, the nine townhouses serve as an enticing venture back in time. The row's inception indeed marked a period of significant expansion and evolution in New York, when the city's wealthy population began to move northward. Boasting Ionic colossal columns, each four-stories high, and extensively hewn from marble, these elite residences were representative of the ultimate sophistication. With illustrious inhabitants such as Cornelius Vanderbilt and John Jacob Astor, they were destined to become an integral part of New York's social and architectural heritage.
Colonnade Row's primary allure is the majestic architectural aesthetic of the standing townhouses, with each of the three pristine edifices presenting its unique features. The colossal columns impress with their grandeur, bearing witness to the Greek Revival era's extraordinary artistic spirit. The delicate ornamentations and intricate stonework, wrestling with the assault of the elements over the centuries, still decorate the façade, adding to the row's inherent charm. However, it's not just the outside that steals the limelight; the interiors of these townhouses, though significantly modified, retain an alluring mixture of the old and new. Some have even embarked on a second life, hosting innovative performance spaces such as the New York Shakespeare Festival's Public Theater.
Adjacent to the historical landmark row, the Astor Place Theater stands testimony to the vibrant theatrical tradition of the city. Hosting the long-running performance 'Blue Man Group,' the theater contributes a dose of contemporary creativity to the otherwise historical surroundings. Landscaping around the row also provides a refreshing respite, with the Astor Place Cube, a rotating black sculpture locally known as 'The Cube,' providing a perfect photo-op right in the heart of New York.
In essence, Colonnade Row emerges as a delightful anomaly amidst the urban sprawl, a dazzling dialogue between past and present. Its very existence in a city that ceaselessly renews itself is a testament to its historical and architectural significance. Its meticulously preserved edifices narrate fascinating tales of the bygone era and invite the onlooker to delve into old New York's distinct sophistication. Colonnade Row is undoubtedly a must-visit destination not just for architecture aficionados and history buffs, but for anyone inclined towards the enchanting allure of stories eternally preserved in stone.
