Union Square (north end): 1937

Portland, Oregon’s wildly popular Voodoo Doughnuts will open its first East Coast branch at 41 Union Square West, formerly the site of Republic. No opening date is scheduled yet.

Here’s a view of Union Square from 1985. The angle is from the southeast looking toward the northwest from the corner of 4th Ave. and 14th. Note that in the good ol’ days, the statue of George Washington was located in the intersection. It was later moved to the southern end of the park. 

As the new multimillion-dollar condos at 15 Union Square West continue to develop, it’s fun to look at this great 19th-century photo of what the Tiffany Building looked like in its prime. Note that some of the people on the street have been added later by an artist.

According to The New School, the terrifying red crane that has been looming over us for months is scheduled for “demobilization” soon. We’ll wait and see when that actually happens.

Pop diva Rihanna was spotted singing karaoke downstairs at Shanghai Square. End of report.

The much delayed hotel going up at 13th and 4th will indeed be a Hyatt .