On my recent excursion to Hunt’s Point in the Bronx, I saw many incredible sights, and this diner was one of them. My friend’s immediate comment was that this must be an insurance wreck – i.e. arson for insurance money. In the 1970s, areas such as the South Bronx saw a wave of arson. I have no idea if this was the case with this diner; I was just dumbfounded to see something like this completely open to the public. Nothing was cordoned off. I was able to walk freely through the rubble amidst broken shards of glass and metal framework while avoiding electrical conduit hanging from the ceiling. See here for a photo of the inside.
Hunt’s Point is not typical of the Bronx, and I will do that borough justice in time. But it has had its disproportionate share of urban blight and is one of the poorest areas in the United States. Areas such as the South Bronx have been virtually synonymous with urban decay. Like most areas in the city that have seen decline, the South Bronx has more recently experienced revival and renewal.
There is a wide variation of urban environments and neighborhoods in the Bronx, some quite affluent, like Riverdale, and others with strong cultural and ethnic roots, like the Italian district at Arthur Avenue. The borough has a large amount of parkland – Van Cortlandt Park, Woodlawn Cemetery, the Bronx Zoo, Pelham Bay Park, Crotona Park, Claremont Park, and the New York Botanical Gardens. With the exception of the zoo and botanical gardens, the Bronx is not a destination, so most residents or visitors to New York City will never see much or any of the borough.
I expect that most readers of this website will not make a pilgrimage to Hunt’s Point or other neighborhoods like it. For a wild ride through the five boroughs, jump on this train…
There was not a fire. The place was stripped of all of its metal for scrap money. No arson hear.
You are right, besides the Botanical Garden, Arthur Avenue and Riverdale, I don’t know how The Bronx looks like. It is also quite difficult to find friends willing to explore the neighborhood.
I’m loving the video! Really cool to see. And i love nightime city driving as well. Thanks a lot.
You are so crazy, this is wonderful if incredibly dangerous!!! Glad you made it home in one piece. Near the end I was dancing in my seat to Zeppelin’s first album, remembering how many times I played it in my NYU dorm a mere block away from that traffic light.
I’d love to see you do a few short videos similar to this all around Manhattan…with someone else driving and you holding the camera, and perhaps the voice track clearly laid down afterwards?
Bravo; love to see you breaking new ground.
I don’t know if anyone but New Yorkers or former New Yorkers can enjoy this, but thanks for doing this, It is just like being there.
Oh my, you are a tad crazy there! But I must say it was fun to watch. And I got to see my old apartment building too! Now I’m not sure how that would be characterized under the "hands free" laws, so since my son just recently got his driver’s license I think I’ll pass on letting him watch this. But on the other hand, he is a video expert and I’m sure he could help you out with the editing and voice track problem. But thanks, I did enjoy that.
Loved the video. As someone who always wanted to see NYC I love the footage of the city at night. Thanks for sharing.
Anon – tx
Leslie – glad to get the approval. Video is my next step. I am putting together a team to make video documentaries of NYC.
John – glad it translated.
Kendigram – it was rough cut.
Cheri – welcome
Good thing you were a cab driver! And that you were happy!
I enjoy this video because I love strolling. It’s a fun stuff with my friends specially in NYC.
I love this, I have only seen the city blocked with traffic jam. This is like a movie.
I enjoyed the video. The music was somewhat loud at times though and I had a hard time hearing your "musings". But interesting indeed.
Just this: THANK YOU!
50 miles per hour…..that was fast!
To quote Groucho, I thought my razor was dull till I saw this video.
I enjoyed the video. It’s awasome.
Thank you.
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