Bryant Park Studios, Office building near Bryant Park, Manhattan, US
Bryant Park Studios is a ten-story structure at 80 West 40th Street with pink brick facades and terracotta ornaments. Its large windows facing north toward the adjacent park were designed to flood artist studios with natural light.
This French Beaux-Arts structure was designed by Charles A. Rich in 1901 as one of several Manhattan buildings created specifically for artists' studios and residences. The developer Abraham Anderson lived in a penthouse he maintained in the building until his death in 1940.
This was a gathering place for artists who lived and worked within its walls from the beginning. The generous northern-facing windows provided the natural light that creative professionals needed for their craft.
This building is easily accessible by subway from nearby Times Square and Bryant Park stations. Keep in mind that this is an active office building, so access is limited to public spaces and certain areas may not be open to visitors.
The ground floor once housed the Cafe des Beaux Arts, which featured an unusual amenity for its era: a dedicated women's bar. This separate space reflected progressive ideas about socializing that were ahead of its time.
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