Apple Bank New York
Samuel Yellin Ironwork
This building, known locally as the Central Savings Bank, opened in 1928, one year before the NYSE crashed. Fortunes 'evaporated', banks didn’t. Feel familiar?
It is magnificent, having an interior barrel vault that is sixty-five feet high. It is a testimony to the dominating (if not imperialistic) banking system in the USA. It reeks of classicism, strength, security, and stability. It is stately!
Such a confidence-building structure must appear well defended in a socially acceptable way, unlike in London where broken glass shards are cemented into the top of garden walls to dissuade intruders. In this case, Samuel Yellin, (born to a Jewish family in Ukraine in 1884) was hired to provide security screens for building wall fenestrations. To echo his theme on interior fittings he was also asked to create teller cages, customer counters. vent screens and so forth.
His malleable, buttery creations are a sight to behold! They can be seen up close outside on the building's massive iron doors, and inside where floral motifs adorn the central teller’s 'pen' and the customer desks that line the walls. Also inside, at the north end high overhead is inscribed "Industry", "Thrift", and "Prosperity"; this always reminds me of a small, barely noticeable rooming house/hotel in Vancouver BC on which is inscribed "Unlimited growth increases the divide" (by artist Kathryn Walter).
Truth to Power parallel: the Hoovervilles that sprang up everywhere in the USA following the 1929 stock market crash, and the tent cities seen everywhere today.
About this spot
2100 Broadway
- Mon - Thu 09:00 - 16:00, Fri 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00
US$
free
2128777195
Find your way with 304 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in New York
1166 Sixth Avenue
Lichenstein & Otterness
In the lobby of 1166 Avenue of the Americas in NYC hang some significant tapestries by Lichtenstein & a large bronze homage to capitalism by Otterness...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Subway Nostalgia
Vintage subway train excursions
The MTA in NYC offers subway "nostalgia rides" during the summer months on old cars from the '30s and '40s. Book your ticket now!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Teranga
Senegalese food at the Africa Center
"Teranga" in New York City, in the Africa Center, is a restaurant as well as a library. It feels musical and maintains a feeling of communal comfort...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
S&P Lunch
1928 Lunch Counter
S&P Sandwich Shop, opened in 1928, serves Jewish classics like matzoh ball soup and latkes in a nostalgic setting that feels like stepping back in time. A must-visit!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Dive 75
Quality trivia contests
"Dive 75" in NYC is a noteworthy sports bar for its Tuesday Night Trivia contests. Clientele is also big on board games, and the beer is relatively cheap!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Rubenstein Atrium
Lincoln Center free concerts
"Rubenstein Atrium" in New York's Lincoln Center has a free performance every Thursday night. I recommend you try to arrive around 18:30 to catch a seat.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Professional Baseball
April 4 opener 2025
Games of Professional Baseball in New York doesn't just mean watching the Yankees play and paying 100s of dollars: watch a Class A game for much cheaper!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Gray's Papaya
Traditional NY hot dogs
"Gray's Papaya" in New York equals classic hot dogs. This place has been here at least 45 years, and it's easy to see why. Great people-watching spot too.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Revson Fountain
Lincoln center
"Revson Fountain" at the Lincoln Center in NYC is one of the results of the renovation that started in 2006. It's spectacular and a must-see!
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Paris Cinema
Last single screen cinema in NYC
"Paris Cinema", est. 1948, is the last single screen cinema in NYC today; what irony that it was saved from closing by Netflix itself...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
La Casa Bella
Bay Ridge Italian
The White Clam Sauce linguine is classic. So much is served that what can’t be eaten on the spot can be taken home and easily reheated the next day,
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Heading to New York?
304 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 304 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves New York
Get to know our other Spotters from New York
As featured on:
