In this episode of our sister podcast “The Big Shut-In”, Dan and David check in with each other from the depths of quarantine. You can hear more conversations like this at https://racecarradio.com/thebigshutin The post The Big Shut-In – Day 35 (Saturday, April 18th) appeared first on RacecarRadio.

London's New York

The Big Shut-In – Day 35 (Saturday, April 18th)

We can learn a lot from great architecture, but what can we learn from architecture that is, frankly, disastrous? In today’s episode, Dan and David visit two miserable attempts at majesty: the David M. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building and the Surrogate’s Courthouse, both on the corner of Centre and Chambers Streets, downtown, and in the process … Continued The post Episode 8: Two Ugly Buildings appeared first on RacecarRadio.

Episode 8: Two Ugly Buildings

What says New York City more than a street of Brownstones? It turns out, though, that this most beloved of city housing designs wasn’t always so beloved, and they sit right on the front line of one of the most fundamental debates in urban architecture. Today’s episode brought to you by Audible. The post Episode 7: Brownstone Manhattan appeared first on RacecarRadio.

Episode 7: Brownstone Manhattan

The most famous park in the world? Maybe. Inevitable stop on the Manhattan tourist trail? Absolutely. But Central Park is also an amazing laboratory for a 150-year-old experiment in urban planning and social identity, and the masterpiece of America’s first (and probably only) superstar landscape architect. Scenic vistas! Hot dogs! Gentrification! Paternalism! This place really … Continued The post Episode 6: Central Park appeared first on RacecarRadio.

Episode 6: Central Park

Seven years ago this week, this innocuous-looking downtown courtyard was taken over by Occupy Wall Street, and what resulted was one of the most exciting, chaotic, and controversial public protests ever held in New York. Our own Dan London was there in the thick of it. In this episode Dan goes back to Zuccotti to remember … Continued The post Episode 5: Zuccotti Park appeared first on RacecarRadio.

Episode 5: Zuccotti Park

Dan and David explore a largely unknown quasi-suburban corner of Queens – Sunnyside Gardens, a place so downright pleasant, it might be revolutionary. The post Episode 4: Sunnyside Gardens appeared first on RacecarRadio.

Episode 4: Sunnyside Gardens

A strange and unique spit of land in the middle of the East River, where we talk about the history of charity and looking to the future of the past. The post Episode 3: Roosevelt Island appeared first on RacecarRadio.

Episode 3: Roosevelt Island

We trek to Green-Wood Cemetery to find the final resting place of one of the all-time most quintessential New Yorkers, and talk about the the power (and limitations) of his quest to use the performing arts as a force for social progress. The post Episode 2: Lenny’s Grave appeared first on RacecarRadio.

Episode 2: Lenny’s Grave

Our very first episode takes us uptown to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and the strange pleasures of buildings designed to make you feel unimportant. The post Episode 1: The Cathedral of St. John the Divine appeared first on RacecarRadio.

Episode 1: The Cathedral of St. John the Divine

An opinionated exploration of the greatest city in the world, starring historian, tour guide, and socialist agitator Daniel London