53rd St Between 1st Ave and York Ave

    

A major block if only because it marks the end of Sutton Place (York Avenue) on the east side, this segment of 53rd Street also acts as an exit ramp for the south bound FDR Drive. The street is mostly home to some pricier apartments and condominiums. Other than that, only a florist and an antique shop call this stretch home.

The primary beneficiaries of the FDR's exit here are perhaps the three competing parking garages. The one on the north side of the street has an ever-present attendant waving people into the bowels of his parking empire every morning. The other two seem a bit more laid back about their operation, content to let the remaining automobiles choose between them. Because God-forbid a person make it all the way to 1st Avenue without paying $45.00 to park first.

York Ave Between 62nd St and 59th St

   

On the outermost edge of Manhattan, and the southernmost segment of York Avenue – before it transforms into Sutton Place – these few blocks are a flurry of activity with a variety of features not often seen in one place. Featuring such rare sights as a gas station, and such common sites as a stalled high-rise development, it's not hard to find things to take photos of here.

Of course, the dominating feature is the Queensboro Bridge which passes through one's line of sight like an unexpected freight train in the middle of the great plains. Stretching for as far as you can see, the bridge is paralleled by the Roosevelt Island tramway, which as of this writing is supposedly less than a month away from completing its 8-month-long overhaul. When it's up and running, watching as the tram cabins pass effortlessly above the street is certainly a unique image, and one that I find constant joy in.

Twenty-Four Sycamores Park is a small tract of land which sits between the main road and a small FDR Drive service road, all of which sits in the looming shadow of the bridge and the expressway's elevated roadway. Though it features a small playground and "comfort station" (I believe everyone else in the city would call it a "bathroom", but whatever makes you feel better, Parks Department), the southern half has been off-limits since construction on the aforementioned tramway began earlier last Spring. Though hopefully it'll return to normal soon.

Sutton Pl Between 58th St and 56th St

Ah yes, Sutton Place – the other Avenue A. Home to some of the richest residents in the city, these blocks are chock full of incredible townhouses, apartments and condos. Being on the far east side of Manhattan, I took this opportunity to also cover the small cul-de-sacs formed by the various intersecting streets. 

Thanks to the FDR Drive sitting beneath the cantilevered buildings here, there are several public spaces at the end of each of the blocks. There's something very strange about these beautiful spaces. Almost hidden by the surrounding buildings, you're left feeling unwelcome amongst the high class elite that call this neighborhood home. If you can get over that, though, the views you're presented with are unparalleled. With the Queensboro Bridge reaching across Roosevelt Island, the panorama is simply breathtaking. 

Wikipedia offered up a rather amusing (to me, at least) piece of information regarding the "back yard" of One Sutton Place, which lies next to one of the aforementioned cul-de-sac parks:

The property behind One Sutton Place South is currently the subject of a dispute between the building's owners and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Like the adjacent park, the rear garden at One Sutton Place South is, in fact, cantilevered over the FDR Drive, a busy expressway at Manhattan's eastern edge that is not visible from most of Sutton Place. In 1939, city authorities took ownership of the property behind One Sutton Place South by condemnation in connection with the construction of the FDR Drive, then leased it back to the building. The city claims the building's lease for its backyard expired in 1990, and was never renewed. If the city prevails in this litigation, the property will be combined with the adjacent park, more than doubling the size of the existing public space.

I must say, I wouldn't mind seeing that happen.

59th St Between York Ave and 1st Ave

Under the shadow of the Queensboro Bridge is a large open field, the Queensboro Oval. In the winter it is covered with a large, inflated dome for tennis, while in the summer it remains open for softball and other sports.  Across the street, expensive apartments and condos offer sweeping views of the bridge, field and river. 

Further down the block, as the bridge gets closer to the ground, some shops and restaurants pop up in its anchorages. All built fairly recently, during the bridge's multi-year renovation, all of them feature some magnificent architecture that borrow heavily from the inherent beauty of the structure. 

However, despite all that this street has to offer, it's fairly quiet. Most of the traffic is from cars looking to find their way to the FDR. Occasionally you'll pass a person, either walking a dog, or making the trek to the east river walkway – which begins just a block away.

57th Street Between Sutton Pl and 1st Ave

If you're rich, then there's a good chance you not only know this block, but you live here.  If you're not, then there's almost no good reason to have ever ventured down this way.  This is the sort of block where those "Taxi" lights in front of doorman buildings are actually used.  There isn't much in the way of commercial activity save for a Citibank, a pizza place, a drugstore and Sutton Wine Shop on the 1st Avenue side.  

The buildings here can be quite nice and offer up some beautiful detailing, but the double-wide street makes for a very cold and impersonal block. 

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