New York’s Fifth Avenue, America’s ‘Street of Dreams’, is one of the most remarkable thoroughfares in the world. Shown on the Commissioners’ map of 1807 emerging from a country road, then in the proposed grid plan of 1811 as one of the major boulevards, Fifth Avenue by the end of the century was synonymous with a lavish fashionable life, grand mansions and services catering to the wealthy. Above Washington Square, in the 1840s and 50s, mainly speculative brownstone rowhouses marched steadily northwards. The merchants of the port, the social fabric of the city, after the Civil War shunned the more aggressive arrivistes such as Alva Vanderbilt and Marietta Stevens who employed European in fluenced architects and decorators to build and furnish grand mansions in contrast to their brownstone neighbours. And then, it was all gone. Swept away in the shadow of tall buildings, the New York house was no longer the ultimate symbol of identity. All that exquisite and substantial work quickly fell before the wrecker’s ball. This book seeks to recreate Fifth Avenue as it grew, flourished and failed. Over 200 archive photographs help tell the story of Fifth Avenue’s nineteenth- and early twentieth-century architecture and society.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry Fifth Avenue : Architecture and Society (A History of America's Street of Dreams), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Fifth Avenue : Architecture and Society (A History of America's Street of Dreams).
