Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
The Bowery's Next Hotel Is Looking Pretty Ugly
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jan 18, 2011
Modified Jan 18, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jan 18, 2011
Modified Jan 18, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Bowery in its latest, absurdly hip, incarnation is no stranger to ugly architecture. Just look at the Cooper Square Hotel, the Sculpture for Living (technically not on the Bowery), or the finger coming out of the middle of Fourth Street. And yet each time a new piece of hideous design is introduced we're dismayed once again. Which is to say, remember how the old Salvation Army on Third Street is going to become a boutique hotel? Well, Curbed got its paws on the rendering you see above.
It doesn't help that the mockup of the Gene Kaufman-designed building is a poorly executed one, of course, but that isn't our fault. This bizarre, not-little number seems to have picked up the worst traits of its Bowery brethren: while the bottom appears to mimic the curvy metal exterior of the new Cooper Union (without any of the grace or wit) the top looks sort of like a boxy white combination of the Cooper Square Hotel and the neighboring finger building, with extra boxy white balconies as a bonus.
What is infuriating about cheap looking designs like this—and to be fair, this is just a rendering and the final product may in fact look nothing like it—is that it isn't like everyone is building ugly stuff on the Bowery. On the contrary the new Cooper Union building has turned out to be a lovely addition to the area and shows real promise of aging better than its predecessor. And the New Museum ain't bad either! Even the brick-skinned Bowery Hotel and the similar-looking new 2 Cooper Square have managed to move onto the strip without offending the eyes of every passerby. We just wish the ratio was a little more in favor of good taste.
We'll admit that the old Salvation Army building wasn't a whole lot to look at, but this rendering is a whole lot less. Of course, that's our quick take. Your mileage may vary.
As the corner looks now (via Michelle Rick's flickr).
Tagged
architecture
bowery
bowery hotel
cooper square hotel
cooper union
eyesores
new museum
salvation army
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .