Ranchion (ranch + mansion)
A "ranchion" (ranch + mansion) is a ranch-style mansion. The ranch-style houses that were built post-World War II from the 1940s to the 1970s were usually one story buildings and…
Rat Rock (Central Park)
Wikipedia: Rat Rock (Central Park)Rat Rock, also known as Umpire Rock, is an outcrop of Manhattan schist which protrudes from the bedrock in Central Park, Manhattan, New York City. It is named…
Red Square (and the Lenin statue)
A red brick apartment building put up in 1989 at East Houston Street and Avenue A was named "Red Square." In 1994, a statue of Lenin was added to the top of the building. A conversation…
Resimercial (residential-commercial)
"Resi-mercial" (or "resimercial") has been used to describe anything that is part "residential" and part "commercial." "'Resi-mercial' —…
Rock Steady Park or The Goat Courts (Happy Warrior Playground)
Manhattan's "Happy Warrior Playground," at Amsterdam Avenue between 98th and 99th streets, is officially named after New York Governor Al Smith (1873-1944), who was nicknamed…
SCRIE (pronounced “scree”) and SCHE (pronounced “she”); DRIE
SCRIE (pronounced "scree") is the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption program. SCHE (pronounced "she") is the Senior Citizen Homeowners' Exemption program. DRIE is the…
Septagon (seven-sided bathroom in Central Park’s Arsenal)
The Arsenal building in Central Park is now used by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. The Arsenal has a seven-sided bathroom that has been dubbed the "Septagon"…
Shady Park (Andrews Grove, Long Island City)
Andrews Grove (49 Avenue between 5 Street and Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, Queens) acquired the nickname "Shady Park" from its large trees. Hurricane Sandy knocked down many of…
Shedies Awards (Manhattan’s oldest scaffolding)
Manhattan's sidewalk sheds are numerous, and can stay up for a very long time. In February 2024, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine started the Shedies Awards. The "winner"…
Showplace of the Nation (Radio City Music Hall)
"Showplace of the Nation" is the original slogan of Radio City Music Hall, cited from at least January 1933. Wikipedia: Radio City Music HallRadio City Music Hall is an entertainment…
Singerhorn (Singer Building)
The Singer Building (at Liberty Street and Broadway in Manhattan) was the tallest building in the world when the 45-story structure opened in 1909. The building was named after the Singer…
Skyscraper
"Skyscraper" was the name of a horse in the late 1700s. "Skyscraper" also meant a large, triangular sky-sail in the late 1700s. In the 1880s, in both Chicago and New York, the…
Skyscraper Curse (Skyscraper Index)
Many cities have a "skyscraper" (tall building) added to the skyline, but experience a downturn in the economy. New York City's Chrysler Building (1930) and Empire State Building…
SRO (Single Room Occupancy)
"SRO" first meant "standing room only," in the 1890s. Later, in the 1930s and 1940s, "SRO" was used to mean "single room occupancy." Both meanings of…
St. John the Unfinished (St. John the Divine)
The Cathedral church of St. John the Divine on Morningside Heights (110th Street and Amsterdam Avenue) was started in the 1890s and is still not finished. It's been called St. John('s)…
Stairway to Heaven
A "stairway to heaven" is a stairway outside of a residential building, usually leading to the second flour. The stairway provides a place to sit, but many consider the architecture to be…
Staten Island’s Crown Jewel (Sailors’ Snug Harbor)
Sailors' Snug Harbor (or Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden) has been called "Staten Island's crown jewel" on its Wikipedia entry. There are landmarked…
Studio Apartment
The "studio" (or "studio apartment") is all in one room. It's usually the name for the smallest living space you can buy -- even smaller than a one-bedroom apartment. The…
Suicide Hill
"Suicide Hill" is any hill the someone goes down (sledding, skating, etc.) that could possibly end in disaster, such as getting run over by a car in the street. New York City has several…
Suicide Pinnacle (observation balcony at Singer Building)
The Singer Building or Singer Tower, a 47-story office building for the Singer Sewing Machine Company located at Liberty Street and Broadway in Manhattan, was the tallest building in the world when…