Bayard Condict Building

Please click here for more photos - one photo does not do this building justice. With the plethora of street life, retailers and other distractions in the Village, it is easy for the casual visitor or resident to miss this magnificent building. But it has not been missed by architects, architecture students, critics or lovers of fine structures - the 13-story Bayard-Condict Bulding at 65 Bleecker Street has been designated both an official city landmark and a National Historic Landmark. This was renowned visionary Chicago architect Louis Sullivan's only work in New York City. Sullivan (1856-1924), father of the skyscraper and Modernism, was trained at MIT and the École des Beaux Arts in Paris. He was the leading designer of the Chicago school and employer and teacher of Frank Lloyd Wright. He is credited with coining the term "form follows function." This is interesting, since the ornate nature of this building shows how Sullivan was not dogmatic about his design ideas. Note the the terra cotta facade and spectacular ornamental elements and friezes under the cornices. At the time of its construction in 1898 the structure was considered very advanced - a very large percentage of the building wall is glass window. The building definitely deserves a good look if you are in the neighborhood ...