Randall's Urban Architectural Sculptures

Finally I was able to finish up the replacement organ facade and start installing it on the wall. I was supposed to get that all done last winter but then a bout with a herniated disk in my neck that all but took me out of commission in December for about 4 weeks and then finally went away in 10 -12 weeks.

Now with the redesigned facade is 6″ narrower and no longer has a 4′ high wainscot sitting on the floor. it all has to be supported with 3 fabricated and welded steel channel brackets that cantlever over the sill of the opening in the wall, and bolt to the back of the wall. The 4th bracket had to be made differently and bolted to the wall stud instead.

The center was stained today and will be clear sprayed tomorrow with the rest of the small parts, and the bottom board with the arches on it will go under the impost once the molding is sprayed.

All of the lumber is solid oak

Almost complete sans a few minor decorative appliques and 4 brackets which go on soon.

Just acquired this very nice keystone from an antique store on Long Island. It is said to have come from a demolished tenement on the Lower East Side which was demolished in the 1950′s, that would put it in the area East of Avenue D to the River where the housing projects are.

Purchased from Steve near Minneapolis, this copper cornice is a section from the old Commodore Hotel on 42nd and Park Ave, NYC.
Back in 1980 when Donald Trump bought the hotel and destroyed the facade to create a mirrored look, I climbed up the outside scaffold to the top to try to get one of these but was unsuccessful.
Now almost 30 years later this one came up for sale and I bought it.