with impressive city views. Looking west on Houston St., the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White’s elegant Cable Building sat nestled on the horizon. Carter greeted us with a kind gesture when we arrived: he left an excellent bottle of champagne. The “soon-to-be-lost” view from that room is one you never forget. This sweeping panorama included many other iconic residences and unusual sights: one could see Jeff Koons’ old studio on the corner of Broadway and Houston St. Koons’ Balloon Dog was in the making. And that’s where, “I spoke into his eyes” briefly during an April Fool’s Day reception for Bowie’s 21 Publishing venture and Modern Painters Magazine. The Koons studio event was an art occasion Warhol would’ve adored. I’ll never forget the courteous and gracious handshake I received from a man wearing a stunning brown suit. Also, you could see Sonic Youth’s apartment across Layfayette St. and watch shoppers enter Keith Haring’s Pop Shop, next to an auto repair garage and a taxi-filled gas station. Those two buildings are gone, a sleek glass
and steel designed complex is currently under construction, and that stunning Puck view, will disappear forever. The Puck Building has undergone transitions too, now a jewel of Kushner Properties, it’s crowned with ultra- luxury rooftop penthouses. A short walk down Jersey St., which runs parallel to the Puck, was The Magic
and I wonder if they only knew. Maybe not. The alley is eerily similar and feels like The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust album cover. I hope I’mnot alone inmy veneration for David Bowie’s sainthood as I take the opportunity to reflect, “just for one day.” > A version of this story first appeared on Splicetoday.com *
BOWIE’S STUNNING PORTRAYAL OF NIKOLA TESLA IN THE 2006 FILM THE PRESTIGE, SHOWS HOW HIS CREATIVE ENDEAVORS KEEP INTERSECTING WITH THE LIVES OF HIS MEMORABLE NEIGHBORS.
--- Michael Gentile is recognized for mentoring a generation of artists to produce some of their best work as founding art director for the iconic New York Press and continues cultivating visuals and writing. The list includes: Splicetoday, NYLON, LA Weekly among others. WESTONMAGAZINEGROUP.COM 25
Shop, a recording studio on the corner of Crosby St., where Blackstar was recorded. Sadly, the studio has closed, another gentrification victim. One can’t help but feel Bowie’s presence still lingers on the once desolate Jersey St. The Supreme store kids are sitting on the curb, busy trying on newly purchased chic sneakers
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