handcaper

The Edge of Real Estate 

Testament to New Yorkers' burning obsession with gentrification, or perhaps merely another sign that the world is flat, the NY Times published the following 2 articles (with no apparent consciousness of a connection) in its January 15th issue:

1. So Close

Another of several NYT stories on the real estate avant-garde's march into the South Bronx. featuring an unfortunate lead photo of a condo development open house at which used car lot-style plastic flag strings were used as attention-grabbing decorations.

2.  Koreans find prime property near the DMZ 

In this article, we learn that the South Koreans are viewed as "Latte-sipping Athenians" to the North Koreans' Spartans- not incomparable to the Manhattanite-SoBro'er contrast.  Unlike SoBro, however, NoDMZ will feature  a 65 acre language learning theme park called English Village.

3. ...Meanwhile, downtown architects Frederic Schwartz & co come out with a truly awesome response to the honkie invasion of Harlem:

The Kalahari 

In approaching the design of a large scale project in Harlem such as The Kalahari, it is not only timely but also necessary to establish an awareness of and recognize African American cultural contributions to the "built environment disciplines" of Urban Planning, Architecture and Interior Design which at present remain "hidden in plain view."

[...]

  Outwardly facing the neighborhood, the street elevations are inspired by nomadic and tribal cultures of Africa. The Kalahari Desert is home to the Bushmen tribal group, individuals who have adapted and survived under the harsh conditions of migratory life for several centuries. This group and the characteristics of this desert region provided spiritual inspiration and directly reflect the cultural aspirations of our design.

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