There was an amazing sunset last Friday. This photo only barely captures it.

Best of all was how it turned everything gold.

You'll need it.

Thanks to Bruce Martin of Reade Street Animal Hospital, who noticed this sign on Staple Street.

An optimist would say these are half-uncut.

What is a week-end?

If a double espresso isn't enough for you....

You know the unemployment rate is high when.... (Thanks, Milo Hess!)

Benjamin Franklin's thoughts on Graffiti, however, shall remain a Mystery.

Saddest tree in Tribeca.

When I saw "Books and Books" written in several places on the drywall in the southwest corner of the Conrad building, I was convinced that the beloved Miami bookseller was coming to Battery Park City. The owner swears it's not happening, though....

Another winner from Milo Hess.

We're going to need more than that. Or is this a scorecard of what's already been drunk?

It's possible I've been watching too much "Downton Abbey," but Chamber Sports sounds like an Edwardian euphemism.

In L.A. that might mean something. Besides, what about us walkers? Building a bike involves a carbon footprint, you know.

A double rainbow at the 9/11 Memorial, taken by Mitch Howell (click to see it in all its glory)

I'm not usually one for crosses, but Bogardus Mansion on Murray looked very pretty around Christmas.

If you've ever wanted to see inside one of those "Water testing stations"—this one is on Warren—here's your shot.

Your tree is illegally parked.

The award for Classiest Christmas Tree Disposal, meanwhile, goes to....

Like London Bridge, but not.

Get out the blue tape!

Speaking of tape: Thanks to the reader who sent in this photo of North End Grill's door. Note the tape with "pull" written on it—and the lack of any way to actually pull open said door. (Maybe that's one way to keep the non-friends-and-family out?)

You'd be chilly, too, if you were made of metal.

Just two more days.

The glass garage door: For the 1% who keep their garages clean.

OK, the top one is a turkey. And the bottom one is a fruitcake. The middle one is... a meatloaf? (I think it might be stuffing, but it took me days to figure it out.)

Well, maybe you should get a shoe policy. (Copy-editor humor!)

Santa's health insurance must really suck.

Ass backward.

About the writer/photographer: Annika K. Martin lives and works downtown, and especially enjoys the history that infuses this area.

The tenant directory in the ornate lobby.

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The barrel-vault ceiling with Byzantine dome in the lobby. The mosaic tiles are gold leaf.

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The grand staircase in the rear of the lobby.

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The beautiful skylight over the grand staircase. It used to be an actual skylight, letting natural light stream into the lobby, but it has since been roofed over and is now lit by lights instead.

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A detail of the skylight. The building was completed in 1913. “United States” is on the skylight as part of a series of country names listed around the skylight, identifying the major powers of the world at the time.

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Ornate marble carvings near the grand staircase.

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The 47th floor. Or maybe it’s the 44th floor? The floor numbers are not necessarily accurate, because several floors appear to be “missing”—apparently Frank W. Woolworth erroneously told a newspaper that the building was 60 stories tall, but it actually only has 54 stories—rather than correct Woolworth’s statement, the building’s floors were renumbered, with six random numbers removed, so the top floor could be “60.” In any event, the top third of the building is empty and undergoing renovations. Rumor has it some floors will be converted to pricey condominium units.

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Function follows form in the Woolworth Building—and sometimes is left out all together. On the 47th floor, the builders forgot to put in doors to the wraparound terrace—so you have to climb out the window to access it! The bright light is one of the giant lights that shine up onto the building, illuminating the tower at night.

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A view from the 47th floor terrace. Unfortunately, the weather was atrocious.

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On the 47th floor terrace.

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Looking up toward the top of the tower, from the 47th floor terrace. The blue detailing under the ledge is terra cotta.

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Inside Frank W. Woolworth’s private office on the 40th floor. The power was out on that floor, so we really only saw the room when the cameras flashed.

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The ornate coffered ceiling in Frank W. Woolworth’s office.

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Terra cotta detailing in the window arches.

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The massive door to the vault in the basement.

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Inside the vault! Apparently Woolworth had it built with the intention of profiting off the rental of safety deposit boxes in the vault, but the venture never quite took off. The vault is still lined with boxes, though.

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Random boxes and keys are just lying around the vault—it felt a bit like Sleep No More.

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The boiler room. Not the most fascinating part of the tour.

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The pool in the basement is original from 1913. It was part of a larger health club and bath facility that made Woolworth one of the most luxe buildings in the city at the time. The pool and health club were originally all white marble—the gaudy colored tiles and mirrors are from a more recent “update.” The pool was last used in 1998.

Seems like the kind of thing you shouldn't make yourself.

In New York, we know that rats actually get that big.

For a while there, Polarn O. Pyret was asking for "emperor's new clothes" jokes. (Thanks to the reader who sent this in.)

A rather depressing end to the Sol LeWitt exhibition....

Old TV hosts don't retire—they just get digitized.

Car Crash Barbie™.

Saying it doesn't make it true.

About the photographer: Tony Larsen [left] is a freelance art director and photographer living in Battery Park City; you can often find him roaming New York City streets with a Canon strap across his chest. For proof, check out his blog at tonylarsen.blogspot.com.

Previous photo essays by Tony Larsen
• The Views from the Duane Street Hotel’s Roof

About the photographer: Milo Hess shoots freelance for Community Media and is a freelance art director/graphic designer specializing in corporate branding design. A former associate art director for WCBS TV, he also designed the on-air look of NY1 News when it came on the air in 1991; the more than 35 professional design awards he has received include five Emmy Awards for Outstanding Graphics in TV Design. He can be reached at miloartist@yahoo.com.

Previously by Milo Hess
• Young, Angry, and Often Semi-Naked
• Through Milo’s Eyes (Part 2)
• Through Milo’s Eyes