Mon 5 Nov 2007
Paresky Center in architect’s rendering, perhaps 2005:
Paresky Center as of October 2007 is oh-so-similar, but not identical:
Shall we have a “find the differences” game? I’ll go first. Something is different about the snack bar windows — there are more horizontal lines in actuality than there are in the sketch. What do you see?
November 5th, 2007 at 9:25 am
The path in the rendering that goes across Baxter Lawn isn’t there in the photo. It would be useful (but the other side is having that unbroken expanse for playing).
What was that stuff (in the shadows) on the balcony? I like the cleaner, simple look in the photo, but maybe I would have liked the other thing if I had seen it in person.
The photo has the bike rack and Adirondack chairs, both good additions if they hold up.
I got really sick of seeing that rendition over the years. Based on the photo, I like what they built better than what they planned. It is neat to be able to compare the plan with the reality. Thanks so much for taking the trouble to try to match the perspective so that we could make the comparisons.
And, as always, thank you for the very generous gift of your photos over the years. They’ve brought me much closer to Williams.
November 5th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Well, let’s see…the trees have no leaves in the first photo, there is a slight breeze and there are shadows over the front of the building…and more kids.
Just kidding.
The windows have a more vintage 40’s (with a hint of deco) look,
The overhang is of a different material than originally planned….and there is some sort of emblem or signage on it, that el shaped attachment next to the windows, is different…actually looks round in the finished building…
My kid loves that place and I spent a lot of time in that building over Parents Weekend.
The gelato is good and the chairs are really comfy.
November 5th, 2007 at 11:11 am
My grandkids (2 through 10 years) love the gelato and are indifferent to the rest of that stuff.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Last time I was in the Paresky was graduation this June. Someone told me then that the windows from the old round snack bar had been saved and reused in the new space, hence, perhaps, the different and more retro look.
November 6th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
I have just noticed the horizontal emphasis on the building as built. I like it. From the angle at which Diana took her picture, that horizontal emphasis echoes off the white horizontal strings on Williams and Chapin, which I’d never particularly noticed on either of the latter. And the gray balcony area echoes the gray Williams roof.
November 7th, 2007 at 1:10 am
And the columns of the old Adams Memorial Theatre echoed the other columns on Main Street - and see what that got them!