Flower Box Awards: Corner of Prince and MacDougal

Our 15th award of 2007!

Reporter: MGR
Owner: Mystery - do you know??
Location: NE Corner of Prince and MacDougal

This home is famous (to us). If you've ever walked by this corner, you've probably noticed the amazing greenery growing on the other side of the huge windows. This summer its what's under foot that is most amazing. While the owners have had turtles and hostas growing under their grate in the past, they are bigger than they have ever been this summer.

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To All Flower Box Awards

We happened to run into them as we were snapping this picture and they mentioned that they were equally surprised. Something in the air this summer has made their plants grow tremendously large. If you are int he neighborhood don't forget to LOOK DOWN for one of the more remarkable flower box approaches in the city.

To Whom it May Concern,

We have a little gift that we're putting in the mail to you: a pot from Ecoforms and seed packets from SelectSeeds.com to help make your gardens grow.

We're going to send it to you but we didn't catch your name so it will simple be to Whom It May Concern.

Enjoy!

Best,
matt at apartmenttherapy dot com

Comments (5)

i LOVE this grate!

i pass it all the time and promised myself i was going to bring my camera to take a picture for apartment therapy, but kept forgetting.

it's such a great little surprise in new york city to look down at what would usually be an ugly grate and see dense foliage. it's even better in person... stop by and have a look.

posted by jeffnyc on September 21st 2007 at 11:18am
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I love this one too! And I immediately knew what grate it was before looking at the address. That's fame!

posted by munckee on September 21st 2007 at 11:57am
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Sorry if this question seems silly, but I'm not a NY resident: What sort of grates are those? Obviously they aren't some sort of drainage but what are exactly? I think it's absolutely lovely that the residents have created a little subterranean garden for passers-by to enjoy.

posted by Monica on September 24th 2007 at 4:47am
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Cool! Until a year ago I lived a block away for 7 years. There used to be two giant faux turtles in that grate and one day there was one. I felt so sad! I wondered if someone had swiped it or if it had just been moved to some other location in that amazing looking building or their country house or something. Or maybe it animated and waddled back to Galapagos.

I would love to know more about this place and the turtle mystery. Came so close so many times to leaving a note and asking for a tour (the house is just as jungly).

posted by ValerieNYC on September 24th 2007 at 6:57am
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To Monica,

The windows of the bottom floor of the building are below the level of the sidewalk. The grates cover a light well which allows some light and air into the basement room. I imagine having a jungle down there is preferable to just looking out at a brick or corregated metal wall.

posted by barbara on September 24th 2007 at 7:44am
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