Throughout Downtown Brooklyn one experiences the wonder of exploring and getting to know the city to build what Colsen Whitehead calls in “City Limits”, one’s own “private New York”. Brooklyn is known for its diversity and growth throughout the years. As New Yorkers, we all get the feeling of nostalgia for the places that make up our New York.There are these two buildings that stood out to me as I walked down Metrotech towards Myrtle Ave. One being glass like with a contrasting material that seem to look like speed bumps bending out of the building. Whereas the other was a classical honey brown brick building. Despite their location next to each other on the block, these buildings differ in architectural structure. A juxtaposition is the act or instance of placing two things side by side to compare or contrast or to create an interesting effect (Merriam-Dictionary).

As you walk up Meteotech towards Myrtle Ave and Flatbush Extension, you start to see the trees and below them are are a garden. In front you’ll see the street split from a intersection into a one way that stands in between these two buildings. The first thing that may catch one’s eye may be the honey brown building with the words “Myrtle Gold” spelled out across it. Or maybe they’ll see the other building next to it being juxtaposed with its unique architecture with its glass and speed bump like material. Colsen Whitehead writes “City Limits” which talks about the appreciation is our “private New Yorks” and how everyone’s will not always be the same but we should appreciate the things we see. Whitehead’s work relates to my juxtaposition because not many will see what I see. I’m going to discuss the two buildings’ architecture being juxtaposed next to each other.

The brown building is nice and classical. It’s one of those buildings you rarely see because everyone likes to see those tall glass buildings. You see the people walking in and out of the building and the busy New Yorkers crossing the street from Myrtle Ave intersection headed towards the Metrotech traffic. The sounds of cars passing and drivers honking, all in a rush. The smell of flowers from the garden arouse the noses of its visitors. The sound of people sniffling and sneezing as they pass & the kids running and playing. Those that are near can see the Chase bank diagonal to the brown building, as if they were to be twins. Straight across from the brown building are some lots where cars go in and out sometimes. Other times truck are parked in front for deliveries. The Myrtle Gold building represents the old New York. The building represents the old New York because the outside has a classical look that one can’t help but be fascinated by. It’s brick structure and color coordination draws attention to its visitors. In the near future, buildings like this may not exist so you must admire it while you can. They building may have a more glassy look than the brick structure that I see today. For example, the building to the right that fits that description and is being juxtaposed to this one.

This building is a beauty and it’s unique architecture that catches eyes more easily. Once one sees it, they tend to question or wonder what the purposes of the building is. There are few assumptions but it is a grocery store and apartment buildings. The glass building represents the new New York. This is because it is more modern and caters to the desire for more futuristic looking buildings and areas. The building has a similar look to the City Tech building being built across the street from the Namm but it’s a little more advanced. It’s has this unfamiliar structure that may be seen from one quarter of the building. It looks like the speed bumps used on sidewalks. The building is grayish white with the glass following all the way to the top. More and more buildings are starting to look like this one so it wasn’t that interesting to me, although it’s colors drew me in.

These buildings are similar because they both stand for our beautiful New York or Downtown Brooklyn. They are both the tallest building on that block with they’re juxtaposed architecture. With both of their unique purposes being a commonality between the two. These buildings draw attention mainly during the day but their night view is even better to see their differences. The glass like building looks like a weird L shape at night. Whereas the brown building just looks tall and nicer in the areas where it’s lit the most. When looking at the two buildings I see the juxtaposition of our greater New York. There’s a great influence these building have for their community because of their unique patterns and designs which allows them to be an amazing attraction site or area.

In conclusion, everyone’s New York is different in their own way. These two juxtaposed building pay homage to the old and the new, New York. The opposing buildings show the change in structural design over the years. Whereas the glass building representing modern day architecture. Although in a whole we are colliding and coming together in our different views of one thing. According to Charles McGrath, “Actually instead of looking at individual buildings, it makes more metaphorical sense to think of New York as one enormous chunk of masonry that has been cut up and carved away. It says ‘This is the ultimate polis, through which humans move like nematodes’ ”. McGrath implied in this quote that we are a very diverse group and often referred to as a melting pot.

Work Cited

1. Whitehead, Colson. “City Limits.” The Colossus of New York: A City in Thirteen Parts. New York: Random House, 2004. 1-12.
2. McGrath, Charles. “A Literary Visitor Strolls in From the Airport.” The New York Times, December 6, 2006.