New York Giant Cushions

[bwbarry]

On google earth there appears to be two giant cushions on the roof of a building on west 31st street, New York city. Clearly they are not soft furnishings but what are they?

[kempie]

I believe you are looking at outdated aerial shots of what was Crosstown Tennis at Fifth Avenue (14 West 31st Street) situated atop a parking garage.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode= &q=14+West+31st+Street,+ny&sll=40.746597,-73.9 87258&sspn=0.001138,0.001904&layer=c&ie=UTF8&l l=40.746651,-73.98703&spn=0.001138,0.001904&t= h&z=19&cbll=40.746966,-73.986971

The outdoor rooftop courts were enclosed in a coldweather bubble to allow use throughout winter. A small view inside the "bubble" exists here...

http://nymag.com/urban/articles/tennis.htm

I also believe that the establishment closed within the last couple of years and that the area is now undergoing construction work for a new high-rise office building.

[kempie]

Here is a more recent view of the lot at 14 West 31st Street looking south from Fifth Avenue, (courtesy of Live Earth)...

http://i28.tinypic.com/352ra05.jpg