Here’s one in the West 50s off Eighth Avenue. Was it the entrance to the building’s basement, and if so, why was it bricked over? The guy on the left didn’t know either.
And another in Chelsea on 28th and Tenth Avenue:
Tags: New York archways, New York City architecture, red brick buildings
Ephemeral New York 
August 12, 2008 at 6:51 pm |
Looks like it could a some type of drain or maybe coal door.
JFF
August 20, 2008 at 2:34 am |
Most likely for ice delivery. It was very unfashionable to have the ice-man schlepping up the front entrance steps of fashionable buildings. Ice, coal, even groceries..all delivered via basement entries, fashion and class dictated even in the good olde days! (don’t forget trash removal too)