Tippetts Abbett McCarthy and Stratton | Bronze Plaque for Theatres & Other Places of Amusement | Extant | Rockaway Beach | Hotel or Motel | 1963 | This beachfront club is one of a disappearing breed of clubs catering to largely working class Brooklynites who have been renting the beachfront cabanas for years. Unlike some other waterfront cabanas, the Silver Gull is unique in that its cabanas are two story and some jut out into the water on piers. The buildings are faced with wall board and the doors are painted bright colors. The complex is centered around a large one story clubhouse with restaurant, bar, and cafeteria. In front of the clubhouse are several swimming pools on a raised concrete platform. It was originally constructed with 473 cabanas and 351 cabinettes which could accommodate approximately 1,500 families. During 2012 Hurricane Sandy severely damaged the club. It has subsequently reopened but some cabanas were not rebuilt.
Soper, Dudley E. | Bronze Plaque for Banks | Extant | Kew Gardens | Bank | 1963 | The former Hamburg Savings Bank exists across from Queens Borough Hall, part of a row of commercial establishments. The small building is wedged into a small through-block site and incorporates parking at the rear. The decorative exterior includes aluminum windows, Italian ceramic tile spandrels, blue glazed brick and tan brick, and white marble. Four floors of banking sit within this diminutive site. Hamburg Savings Bank merged long ago and its successor Capital One now resides here.
Shreve Lamb and Harmon Associates | Bronze Plaque for Banks | Extant | Jackson Heights | Bank | 1963 | This low-rise bank was built to fit into the surrounding residential neighborhood, but its design is distinctly mid-century. Sitting on a corner lot, the building is oriented to the street with an elliptical glass and metal window bay surrounded by entrance areas clad in white brick. The drive-thru teller stations exist behind the building.
Arlen, Samuel S. | Bronze Plaque for Office Buildings | Extant | Forest Hills | Office Building | 1963 | The Pickman Building, named for its prominent local developer, is a six-story corporate style office complex with underground parking, office space, and retail space. Although the exact reason for its construction is unclear, its proximity to Queensborough Hall and other municipal offices most likely played a role. The exterior is of glazed white and blue brick with aluminum trim and ribbon style windows. The striking entrance is surrounded by porcelain and marble with the building name displayed in metal lettering.
Brodsky Hopf and Adler | Bronze Plaque for Hotels and Motels | Extant | Elmhurst | Hotel or Motel | 1963 | Closed in early 2014, the Pan American Motor Inn’s future is unclear but the building remains. It has an elliptical design, curving out to to the street on both ends. The first floor is recessed to allow access for pedestrians and vehicles. The yellow brick in the window areas bring a pop of color to the otherwise unrelieved exposed concrete frame.
