St. Mark’s, Mayfair.

 

St Mark's (Mercato Metropolitano), Mayfair, is a Grade I listed building, a former Anglican place of worship in North Audley Street, in the Mayfair district of London.

St Mark's was built in 1825–28 and  constructed in the Greek revival style to the designs of John Peter Gandy. The church was listed Grade I in 1958. It was deconsecrated in 1974 and remained empty for many years, being included on English Heritage’s "Buildings at Risk" register for over 20 years. In July 2014 the building was acquired by Grosvenor Estates.

The building has been used for other events, such as by Nike, The London Summer Show, London Fashion Week and by Grosvenor Estates. Since November 2019 St Mark's has been 'Mercato Mayfair', a 'dog-friendly' 'cultural hub and sustainable community market' operated by Mercato Metropolitano.

https://mercatometropolitano.com/mercato-mayfair-2/

Germankraft: Fresh and authentic German Beer
Jim & Tonic: Organic and artisanal Gin
Badiani: The Iconic Italian Gelato & Coffee
Fresco: Authentic Neapolitan Pizza
Pasta Lovers: Fresh and Authentic Pasta
MM Grocery: Artisanal products
Rico Coco Cocktail Bar: Chicken Rotisserie and Cocktail Bar
Steamy & Co: Bao, Dumplings and Ramen
Santo Grill: Grilled meat, Burgers and Wine
Pad Thai House: Asian Fusion Street Food
Spice Lab: Malaysian Street Food
House of Poke: Fresh & Full of Flavour
Molo: Fish and Sea Food
TAM Fusion by John Burton-Race: Fusion of British, French and Vietnamese Food

Visited - 24th February 2023

1520 Sedgwick Avenue, The Bronx

It’s hard to pinpoint one location let alone a location and time for the birth of a culture. Hip Hop is comprised of five elements - emceeing, deejaying, breakin’, graffiti and beatboxing. You’ll find people quoting any number of elements from four to ten but these are a good starting foundation. The current agreed birthplace is The Bronx in New York. DJ Kool Herc is mentioned in the same breath for his Back To School Jams and the picture above gives us more detail - a time and date 21:00 to 04:00 starting on 11th August 1973 at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in New York. 

This is a very basic summary but there are TV shows, films and books that can tell you the precise history. The reason for the post is far more self indulgent and is about my brief but enjoyable pilgrimage to 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. I grew up with Hip Hop in my teenage years and you’ll appreciate that any scene you adopt as a teen normally has a lasting effect. Public Enemy, Ultramagnetic MCs, Beastie Boys and Run DMC were the tip of the American Hip Hop iceberg for me. 

So when I found out I would be in New York from 10th - 14th February 2023 I pushed aside thoughts of The Empire State Building (breathtaking), the Brooklyn Bridge (beautiful) and Times Square (mesmerising) and plotted a route from Manhattan to “The Boogie Down Bronx”. Raised eyebrows were the first thing from people - I’ve grown up hearing stories of risky situations and I’m sure it can be a threatening place but I left Manhattan at 07:45 and arrived at at my destination at 08:30 when even the fiercest people are at their least threatening. Being a middle aged Englishman I expected to stick out a little and I did but people were nothing but welcoming and in the best case - they just ignored me and left me alone. 

The journey started at 47-50 Streets Rockefeller Center taking the B train to 161 Street Yankee Stadium and getting the 4 train to 176th Street Jerome Avenue. 

When I left 176th I cut through Clifford Place West and along Davidson Avenue. Onto Featherbed Lane and over University Avenue onto West 175th Street. 

By now you’re thinking - come on - what’s the big deal - it’s just a stroll. Yeah, it is but it’s walking through not only Hip-Hop country but in a country whose TV, films and video games have been a constant all my life so even a yellow school bus is something that makes me stop and stare. 

And by now I’m at Popham Avenue and cutting to Undercliff Avenue and walking down the side of a building and suddenly I’m on Sedgwick Avenue. I notice the Hip Hop Boulevard sign before I see the building - it’s got some work going on so the scaffolding obscures the view I was hoping to see but the front door is open and although it’s a bit of a liberty I go for a walk inside and jump in the lift to fully appreciate the view. I don’t hang around as people live here but I’ve come 3,500 miles so treat myself to walk into what should be a shrine. As I leave a young lady getting in her car asks if I want my photo taken outside and I thank her but decline - I don’t want my face spoiling the view. Sat back in England I wish I’d accepted her offer. 

Hook & Ladder Company 8, Manhattan

This firehouse was built in 1903  in a Beaux-Arts style and originally had two vehicle doors but was reduced in size due to the widening of Varick Street in 1913.

The crew based here were one of the first responders to the 9/11 attacks and despite plans to close it public support meant it has stayed open and active. 

It is instantly recognisable as the Ghostbusters HQ and made two appearances in the 2016 reboot as well as the film Hitch and Seinfeld. 

Address: 14 North Moore Street, Tribeca, Manhattan, New York.