Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Mistress Row or Park Avenue South

This is Park Avenue South, which is a stretch of street south of 42nd Street near Grand Central Station. The area is sometimes called Mistress Row because of the number of apartments (those colorful buildings in the background) that are rented out to pretty young girls and paid for by their gentleman friends. The reason Park Avenue South is a popular spot for that purpose is its proximity to Grand Central Station. New York Times did a story on this phenomenon entitled, Dangerous Liaison: the Perils of Pied-Affaire. It is a fun read if you are really in the mood for some NYC gossips.

In the photo, you can see the ramp going up to the bridge that was in yesterday's photo. You can also see part of the Pershing Square Restaurant on the lower right corner.

I am NOT going to ask if you ever had an affair so maybe you can tell me (and the readers) something interesting about yourself that is PG-rated.

23 comments:

Bel said...

What an interesting story about Mistress Row - I'd never heard of that reference until seeing it on your blog. Will definitely read the New York Post article. Were the buildings always so colourful, or have they been renovated/repainted to "fit in" with the street's reputation???

Ummm....I can't think of anything interesting to say about myself right now Ming - sorry :o(

Peter said...

Interesting! I guess you should start with your own story (stories) and then let's see!

Olivier said...

merci pour l'histoire, je ne connaissais pas, interessant


thank you for the history, I did not know, interesting

stilettoheights said...

I had never heard it called mistress row...that is both wonderful and sad.

as usual the photo is great!!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Such an interesting story & photo. I had never heard it called that either!

Anonymous said...

Central Park South is sometimes called Mistress Row; the street in your photo is Park Avenue South.

Missy,Mrs and Mum said...

I think I would happily be someone's mistress if I could live in one of those places!!! Only joking.

Affairs no, but I did go out with a friend of a friends ex boyfriend about 2 days after they broke up. I know its bad but he was in the Navy and was yum!

Ming the Merciless said...

Thanks anon, for the correction. I've changed that phrase.

teahouse said...

A friend of mine lived in that neighborhood when she first moved to NY. She had a studio apartment that didn't even have a real kitchen - just a mini fridge and a hotplate. Perfect for mistresses. So she said.

Missy,Mrs and Mum said...

i remember that episode!!!!!!! soooo grose! but bloody funny!

lv2scpbk said...

I like how you took this photo.

TCho said...

well i used to live there, but no affaires for me. would have made my life more exciting though.

Anonymous said...

Now I know why everyone is young and chic and pretty on mistress row. Thanks for the picture and story. I can't say I would entirely mind being "put up" there.

GMG said...

Never noticed on Park Av. South... Are you paying for any apartment? ;))

Oh for the love of food! said...

This is a beautiful photo, very well taken, Ming. I love the Angle you took it in.

Hmmmm.. Mistress row.. Is that a criteria in the rental agreement?? HA!HA!

Rafe Totengco said...

that's a really great shot. love it.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Your stunning photos make me desire to know New York! That is my dream! My husband studied in NY University by 8 months, many, many years ago, and he took many photos and slides. He is of the time of the slides! (LOL)

Unknown said...

What a great shot. There are probably more people living in the apartments in that capture than in the entire town where I am living now! I'll wager there are more people living in that shot than live in the whole region I am living in now!!! This, to me, is the extremely cool thing about the CDPB. I get a sense of our similarities and differences from the photos everyone captures.

Lavenderlady said...

Very interesting. The article told me probably more than I wanted to know. Something interesting...gosh, most of the time I think I lead a really dull life.

Anonymous said...

I supposed the ladies' gentlemen friends are married?

Ming the Merciless said...

Tigerfish - I think ALL the gentleman callers are married. :-)

Unknown said...

ming, you can choose not to answer, but are you paying for an apartment there?

or... rent one there specially for DP, so any DP visiting NYC can stay there. maybe it can be called DP Getaway next time... haha....

poody said...

mistress row huh? Now I have a goal!