Vanishing NYC: The iconic Roseland Ballroom in Times Square closed forever last night, to make way for a 59-story condo. The dance and concert space, former ice skating palace and site of championship boxing matches went out in grand style after 95 years, with five nights of sold-out performances by Lady Gaga.
The new high rise most certainly will have apartment prices affordable only to American hedge fund managers, Russian oligarchs, Middle Eastern oil sheiks and Chinese billionaires, not the rest of us mere mortals. They will be living above the “store” where the likes of the Rolling Stones, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Kurt Cobain and Nirvana performed, where Truman Capote hung out, and which was an inspiration for the movie They Shoot Horses Don’t They about dance marathons in The Depression, when the last couple standing earned enough prize money to pay the rent and feed the family.
Here are links to articles and photo montages about one more piece of NYC history that’s vanishing, and some wonderful historic images:
- Wall St. Journal article focuses on Roseland Ballroom’s boxing history
- New York Observer article focuses on Roseland Ballroom’s music history, and other NYC music venues that have been silenced, including Lenox Lounge in Harlem and Kenny’s Castaway in the Village
- Time Out New York photo montage of Roseland Ballroom’s 95 year history.
RIP Roseland Ballroom, another historic and storied piece of New York City that is vanishing.
What do you think about this? We welcome your comments.