The Untapped New York Podcast

Why is the FDR Drive Purple?


Listen Later

In the latest episode of the Untapped New York Podcast, Michelle Young, author, journalist, and the founder of Untapped New York, tracks down the answer to her latest burning question about New York City: Why is the FDR Drive Purple? If you’ve been wondering or…have yet to notice, prepare to have your mind blown. A lot of myths abound, none of them true.

No, the New York State D.O.T. did not just happen to have a ton of extra purple paint. It's also not inspired by the color of someone's tie in New York City government. And the color choice wasn't an accident but how it looks today is not how it was intended.  

To get down to the root of it, Michelle went to the source and interviewed Gregg Pasquarelli, founding partner at ShoP Architects and Cathy Jones, project director at SHoP, who designed the Master Plan for the East River Waterfront. They have the definitive answer on the unusual pastel color choice, and also what has gone wrong. The trio also spoke about all things FDR Drive—including all the films that have been shot there.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Untapped New York PodcastBy Untapped New York

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

72 ratings


More shows like The Untapped New York Podcast

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,559 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

38,196 Listeners

The Bowery Boys: New York City History by Tom Meyers, Greg Young

The Bowery Boys: New York City History

3,692 Listeners

The Moth by The Moth

The Moth

27,259 Listeners

99% Invisible by Roman Mars

99% Invisible

26,147 Listeners

The New Yorker Radio Hour by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker

The New Yorker Radio Hour

6,639 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,526 Listeners

Twenty Thousand Hertz by Dallas Taylor

Twenty Thousand Hertz

3,924 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

110,847 Listeners

Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia by Slate Podcasts

Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia

2,042 Listeners

Coming to New York City Podcast by Katie Smith

Coming to New York City Podcast

132 Listeners

Only in New York by Chemda, Tracey Carnazzo and Andrea Allan

Only in New York

431 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

15,321 Listeners

National Park After Dark by Audioboom Studios

National Park After Dark

5,145 Listeners

Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade by Audacy

Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

12,771 Listeners