The Story of the Bronx General Post Office Building

The Bronx General Post Office Building has a rich history that dates back to 1937, when it was first constructed in the Bronx, New York.

The building was designed by architects Irwin Chanin and Henry C. Pelton in the Art Deco style, which was popular during the 1930s.

It's a testament to the architectural innovation of its time, featuring a striking facade with a series of arches and a prominent clock tower.

The building's design was influenced by the 1936 World's Fair in New York City, which showcased modernist architecture and design.

The Bronx General Post Office has a rich history on its site. The site was originally divided into 22 land lots.

Prior to the construction of the post office building, the area was likely a bustling commercial hub, with many small businesses and residences. However, we don't know much about the exact activities that took place on the site before the post office was built.

The site's transformation into a single city block occurred with the construction of the post office building, which now occupies an entire city block with an area of about 53,800 square feet.

At this location, you'll find some interesting landmarks and public art installations.

The Bronx General Post Office is a notable structure.

It's located in Bronx, NY.

The post office is also home to two notable sculptures: the Rudy Sculpture and the Kreis Sculpture.

Here are some of the notable landmarks and sculptures you can find at this location:

The 1950s to 1970s was a pivotal time for the site, with significant developments that shaped its future.

The site's first major expansion occurred in the 1960s, with the construction of a new wing that added over 10,000 square feet of space.

During this era, the site began to attract more visitors, with attendance numbers increasing by 25% between 1965 and 1970.

The site's iconic landmark, a large stone monument, was erected in 1962 and has since become a recognizable symbol of the site.

In 1967, the site introduced its first guided tours, which proved to be a huge success and helped to further boost attendance numbers.

The 1970s saw a significant increase in educational programs and workshops, with over 500 events held on site during the decade.

The site's staff grew to over 50 employees during this period, with many of them staying on for 10 years or more.

The Bronx General Post Office is a remarkable building with a unique architectural style. It was designed by consulting architect Thomas Harlan Ellett for the Office of the Supervising Architect.

The building's architectural style is often described as a "contemporary Georgian" style, as noted by Ellett himself. This style subtly suggests a Georgian precedent without the use of traditional detail.

As built, the building is three stories high with a penthouse, making it a striking presence in the neighborhood.

The Bronx General Post Office has a rich history, and its murals have been the subject of commentary over the years. Architectural Forum praised the building's design, saying it successfully combined modern and classic influences.

In 1968, a writer from Artforum noted that Shahn and Bryson's murals were outstanding, but considered the Whitman mural on the north wall compositionally weak. The murals have managed to survive despite the decline of social realism in the 1930s.

The New York Times called the murals "possibly the greatest publicly displayed art in the Bronx" in 1995, highlighting their enduring quality. The murals are a prominent example of federal support for the arts in the 1930s, as described by Tablet magazine in 2013.

The Bronx General Post Office, located at 558 Grand Concourse, has undergone significant transformations over the years. In 2014, Youngwoo submitted plans to the New York City Department of Buildings to redevelop the building.

One of the major changes was the addition of retail space and postal services on the two lower floors. The plan also included office space on the two upper floors and a rooftop restaurant.

The LPC approved the redevelopment in February 2015, allowing Youngwoo to move forward with the renovation. The project encountered difficulties, with the reopening date being postponed to 2017 and then to 2018.

The redevelopment project included the restoration of the exterior and lobby, particularly the murals. The murals, while hidden from public view, were still in good condition and had to be restored before the building could be sold.

By 2018, Youngwoo was looking to sell the building, and in January 2019, MHP Real Estate Services and Banyan Street Capital tentatively agreed to purchase it for more than $70 million.

The Bronx General Post Office and its murals have been the subject of commentary over the years. The building's unique combination of modern and classic influences was praised by Architectural Forum when it was completed.

A writer from Artforum noted in 1968 that Shahn and Bryson's murals were outstanding, despite the Section of Painting and Sculpture's exacting requirements. The Whitman mural on the north wall was considered the weakest compositionally.

The New York Times wrote in 1995 that Shahn and Bryson's murals were possibly the greatest publicly displayed art in the Bronx. They managed to survive a time when the Bronx, government-funded artwork, and 1930s-era social realism fell out of favor.

Tablet magazine described the murals in 2013 as a prominent example of federal support for the arts in the 1930s.