tales of Olde Tribeca, circa 2010

vintage, authentic, classic, etc
We spent a lovely evening a while back in a friend’s Tribeca loft, with an experience that was like going back to the days when only a few people had any idea what (or where) the TRIangle BElow CAnal was.

Their building is one of the early Manhattan lofts to go coop down there (1977) and at least two of the four original "incorporaters" are still there, having lived there (illegally?) since well before 1977. This is a small building (fewer than 20 units), with no amenities and with a resident population that skews to long-time shareholders.

The entry and lobby of the building are very spare, very utilitarian, with no attempt at charm … the kind of Manhattan loft building in which it is always a surprise to see sleek and beautiful loft spaces, as if the public view of the building is deliberately downscale. Some units are very ‘done’ (one sold at $1,300/ft at The Peak) and there have been two very major celebrities in the building (one remains).

(nearly) untouched in 30+ years
So it was fascinating to be in the loft of our hosts that night (one of those original incorporaters). Their loft has a kitchen and baths that have been upgraded, but the rest of the loft seems to be in the condition it has been in for many, many years. But it wasn’t the condition that made it so interesting, as it was the use these friends make of their loft.

Close to half of the (2,400 sq ft?) space is devoted to a dance studio / performance space, with all sorts of interesting features (including a huge mirror, hidden that night by a curtain, and a trapeze-like set-up!). We were there for a dance recital, along with about 50 or 60 other people, followed of course by wine and eats.

caution: real artists at work
The couple were both dancers, and she continues to choreograph, and to teach. (The recital included a piece she composed 20+ years ago and a new piece.) The experience of being in their home and watching her art was so intimate and engaging that it made me wonder how many similar things might still go on in Tribeca lofts?

Back in the day, these kind of evenings were commonplace; after all, this is the mixed usage (living and performance) of many original Tribeca residents (before we yuppies arrived a few years later). I don’t mean to sound trite, but this was what these spaces were for, before Tribecans first began to lament the influx of baby strollers, when the notion that people with Real Money would want to live down there was rather absurd.

Now, my friends live in the same building with people with multiple homes and extravagant lifestyles (not to mention, with very modern lofts). That’s cool.

Many thanks to Bonnie and Gil.

© Sandy Mattingly 2010