Fifth Avenue: History of America's Street of Dreams

Fifth Avenue is one of the most famous corridors in New York City, yet few know of its early splendor as the social destination for the elite--nor how quickly it disappeared, with so many homes being torn down within 15-20 years of construction as tastes changed and the City evolved. Well illustrated, largely with photos of a New York none of us experienced--and accompanied by compelling text, Broderick's Fifth Avenue: History of America's Street of Dreams brings the reader on a tour uptown from Washington Square with a peek into the life and times of the most famed New York families. This book is a great addition to one's library of New York titles.

Very interesting history of the development of Fifth Avenue in New York City. A lot of good historical information found in one book on this fascinating subject.

“Mosette Brodericks’ Fifth Avenue is a social history of New York’s and America’s most celebrated urban thoroughfare in two senses. It is both a deeply social study of how the physical city is shaped by individuals and their personal requirements for a place to live and put down roots, and at the same time, a study of upward mobility, of how “high society” continually remade its idea of New York’s spinal column of a street. Broderick presents us with long-forgotten histories of New York’s people and their sense of style, and she does so with great flare. Anyone who loves New York will love Fifth Avenue.”Kenneth E. Silver, Professor of Modern Art, New York University.

A fascinating book showing the mercurial rise of mansions along 5th Avenue from its beginning at Washington Square Park. There are so many interesting stories that the author reveals. Whoever would have known that 2nd Avenue was a possible rival of Fifth in the early start of Manhattan's rise northward? The illustrations and images are wonderful to see. For those interested in the history of New York, this is a must.

This book is a very detailed and informative historical record of Fifth Avenue in New York City giving most every substantial building a thorough description, who designed it, and who lived in it. But if you’re looking for beautiful large format illustrations this is not your book.This more of a reference book with small black&white illustrations of the buildings.

A well-written and extremely well researched book on the fabulous history of an iconic part of New York City. The author has taken the time to bring these historical figures back to life, along with an excellent array of photographs of the time period. For any fans of NYC history, this is a must read!

A compelling story of how New York City grew in the 19th century. Fifth Avenue drew Manhattan northward and the progression is rolled out in this photo rich book. The homes of the Gilded Age played out in grand architecture of wealth and excess now gone forever are captured in this book.

A beautifully written, deeply researched book, filled with original insights, interesting anecdotes and careful observations on people and architecture of profound importance to the history of New York City. It stands apart as the standard reference on the subject, a classic in the history of architecture.

C'est sur que j'aurais aimé que le livre soit en français mais ce n'est pas grave je vais le lire quand même et les photos sont très belle.

Facinating to follow the changes over the years.