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Trump Replaces Public Seating With Eponymous Merchandise

Monday, July 13, 2015, by Zoe Rosenberg

[Image via Trump. Inlay via Designs on the Public: The Private Lives of New York's Public Spaces.]

Just in case there wasn't enough evidence that Donald Trump is the worst, the Times returns to a decades-long incident in one of the billionaire businessman's namesake towers where he removed a public bench only to set up store selling Trump-branded goods. The debacle is a slightly less ostentatious display of Trump's gross intolerance for the human race at large.

Here's the backstory: the soaring atrium of Trump Tower at 721 Fifth Avenue was dedicated to the city as privately-owned public space when it opened in 1983 as part of an agreement that allowed Trump to build an additional 20 stories. The agreement goes on to mandate how the space will benefit the public with things like seating, which in the 80s included a black marble bench that was "a popular destination for Fifth Avenue shoppers and workers to relax." According to the Times, the bench disappeared sometime in the last decade only to be replaced by the shopping counter pedaling copies of The Apprentice and Trump's colognes, which take names like Success and Empire (of course). Before the bench was illicitly removed—without a permit from the DoB—it was covered in planters rendering it unusable. Trump's reasoning for the pots, in a 1984 written statement to the DoB, is this: "We have had tremendous difficulties with respect to the bench—drug addicts, vagrants, et cetera have come to the atrium in large numbers ... Additionally, all sorts of 'horrors' had been taking place that effectively ruined the beautiful ambience of the space which everyone loves so much."

Philip Schneider, who handled the bench issue as a Department of Buildings employee, was quick to point out to the Times that Trump's idea of improvement "may not be the same as everybody else's" and that once a developer gets what they want out of a privately owned public space deal, it becomes difficult to ensure that the public gets what's promised to them. So far, Trump's gotten away with a $2,500 fine; it's a figurative smack on the wrist for the very wealthy man. All of this just goes to say that it's no wonder everyone who works in hisConey Island shopping center, Trump Village, thinks the guy's a schmuck.
· An Altar to Donald Trump Swallows Up Public Space in Manhattan[NYT]
· Hamill: No Donald Trump supporters at Trump Village in Coney Island[NYDN]
· Designs on the Public: The Private Lives of New York's Public Spaces[Google Books]
· The Epicenter of Donald Trump's Real Estate Empire, Mapped[Curbed]
· 10 Things We Learned About the Real Estate Market from Donald Trump's Presidential Announcement Speech [Curbed]
· Donald Trump Filled the Ground Floor of Trump Tower with Campaign T-Shirts [Racked]
· All Donald Trump coverage [Curbed]

721 Fifth Avenue New York, NY

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COMMENTS (28 EXTANT)

Ew.

#1. 07/13/15 11:02 AM

"We have had tremendous difficulties with respect to the bench—drug addicts, vagrants, et cetera have come to the atrium in large numbers ..."

He left out Mexican rapists. I guess that's what he means by "et cetera."

#2. 07/13/15 11:06 AM

Skipbroadway 79

When this egomaniac loses his bid for President
we can call this building Dump Tower.

#3. 07/13/15 11:06 AM

NYC10001-10305 379

I wonder, for people that bought into one of his condos that are 100% condo buildings, like on the UWS for example. Can the condo boards there decide to change their management company from Trump and even more, can they remove the name "Trump" from their buildings? I mean at one time, sure selling an apartment in a Trump building was supposed to mean luxury. But now, it is clear that his name means something else...(and it is also clear that his "brand" name is only going to get worse). I would think as a condo, it would benefit sales/rentals and the building as a whole to disassociate themselves from him for the benefit of the building. I could see people not wanting to buy a condo in a Trump building specifically because they dont want to have to say they live in a Trump branded building.

#4. 07/13/15 11:17 AM

drop ceilings are in 616

@NYC10001-10305: Agreed, but that will just rile up his base!

#5. 07/13/15 11:19 AM

Trump is no more an egomaniac than any other politician. And truly,
loudly articulating the detritus crossing our borders is simply that. You don't have to like Trump to acknowledge the TRUTH of his message.

There was COMPLETE TRUTH in his message. Don't care if he donated to the dems previously, don't care how many marriages he's had - at least he has more class in that regard versus the millions creating illegitimate bastards every day.

There was NOTHING about his comments that were racist and ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS NOT THE SAME AS IMMIGRATION - LEGALLY ENTERING A SOVEREIGN NATION. THE SAME PROCESS THAT EVERY SINGLE COUNTRY ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET HAS, INCLUDING THE COUNTRIES THESE PEOPLE COME FROM.

#6. 07/13/15 11:43 AM

Right you are QueenTut. Trump spoke the simple truth and the left media lies about what he said.

He specifically said that "some" were rapists and some were good.

#7. 07/13/15 11:55 AM

I do feel bad for the residents who live in Trump-branded buildings. His brand is indeed crashing and most normal people just don't want to be associated with all the controversy. Who would want to buy a multi-million dollar apartment in a Trump building at this point?

People like QueenTut aren't Manhattan buyers. If you did buy in a Trump building, you get associated with people like QueenTut, and potentially have demonstrations and protests outside your door.

#8. 07/13/15 12:06 PM

OneNYersOpinion 234

I've never heard detractors say of Trump that he is a bad developer, or that he doesn't know his industry. I do laugh however, when people infer that he is a "self-made man". He was able to take his father's business into Manhattan, and build at the high end. We get that.

But outside his area of expertise (residential real estate), he really is deeply lacking in his ability to form/link coherent thoughts, and he regularly appears unprepared,/extremely limited in his exposure to global and historic issues.

Above all -- He has zero intent or interest in being President of the U.S. Were he running for Czar or King -- yes, he'd be interested in that. But he is only running because he feeds off media attention, and he gets off on being the unchallenged voice in the room. Unfortunately, being Prez (or Gov in CA, right Ahhnold ??) doesn't allow you to force your will on all aspects of government.

Have no doubt -- he has long-since planned his exit strategy from the campaign. Just a matter of when. For now, he's loving the attention, from all directions.

#9. 07/13/15 12:07 PM

idreamofnyc 348

He is a scumbag. Self-serving, with no regard for anyone else. I would openly mock anyone who would buy his cologne. He might as well name it Loser.

#10. 07/13/15 12:21 PM

David in Bushwick 173

Trump, in the recent past, stated he is pro-choice, pro-Clinton, pro-healthcare. And now he is exposing to the world what the Republican base is all about including our 'foreign' non-white President.
Trump must be a genius.

#11. 07/13/15 12:40 PM

Imagine a New York Reporter who is biased against Trump. It boggles the mind. (Sarcasm)

The more you people hate 'em, the more i like Trump!

#12. 07/13/15 01:17 PM

Trump is a terrible embarrassment for this country and most specifically this city. And for sure there is no doubt that the Trump name is now detrimental to all condo owners in a Trump building. From NBC to the PGA (or even the FAA!), no one wants to be associated with his name. I wonder how long it will take to see these boards moving forward to change the name of the building they live in.

#13. 07/13/15 01:24 PM

NYC10001-10305 379

I never understand these "first post" people who are all caps and controversial on this (or other) sites. It doesnt matter what message Trump has or if he is right or wrong. The discussion is about his brand and what his personality is doing to it. He has come across as classless, brash.. even seems uneducated. His brand was supposed to be about what he acheived and the luxury image it brought about. Now, he reminds me of my grandma in her Queens accent yelling racist things out in public. He's an embarrassment. There are better ways to discuss the problems in this country. Calmly with severe thought and tact.

#14. 07/13/15 01:24 PM

@QueenTut: so you call illegal immigrants "detritus", but for sure you're not racist...no you couldn't possible be! Some messages just speak by themselves, though wouldn't it be appropriate for Curbed to remove some racially offensive messages from this blog?

#15. 07/13/15 01:29 PM

drop ceilings are in 616

@ChuckC: "The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else’s problems. When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best.” Trump added, “They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

Work on your reading comprehension.

#16. 07/13/15 01:50 PM

@drop ceilings are in: " And some, I assume, are good people.”
No, you work on your reading comprehension.

#17. 07/13/15 01:57 PM

NYC10001-10305 379

I fail to see where DropCeiling was misquoting anything. If anything, ChuckC first states that he said "and some are rapists", emphasising that Trump said "some" by putting "some" in quotes.

#18. 07/13/15 02:42 PM

@NYC10001-10305:
"...They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
Using the context of the above two sentences, what do you think the above means?

1.)All are rapists.
2.)None are rapists.
3.)Some are rapists.

#19. 07/13/15 02:49 PM

grandmasterbeta 25

I think anyone who wears his cloying fart like cologne, or wear's his awful ties, should be exported to Mexico.

#20. 07/13/15 03:03 PM

Trump has been raping NYC zoning laws for long enough. Time to deport him.

#21. 07/13/15 03:42 PM

REspectator 2917

Cheapest fix:

Cover or remove the letter T from the buildings named after him.

#22. 07/13/15 04:41 PM

@REspectator: LOL!!!

#23. 07/13/15 05:31 PM

dylanstokes335 15

@grandmasterbeta: lol

#24. 07/13/15 05:53 PM

dylanstokes335 15

the moral of this story is that covering something with plants will render it unusable. Try it with a coworker's desk

#25. 07/13/15 05:55 PM

OK, much as I'd like to get involved in this whole immigrant rapist topic (sounds oddly like the crazy fear of deflowering southern womanhood that triggered lynchings 50+ years ago), the more obvious question here is why the DOB doesn't simply do its job, and enforce the provisions of the POP (privately owned public space)? If Mr Comb-over doesn't keep up his end of the bargain, the top 20 floors of his tacky-assed tower should just be taken down! Of course that would presume some NYC politician was not beholden to REBNY for campaign funds...

#26. 07/13/15 06:55 PM

CountessLuAnne 1903

@OneNYersOpinion:
Real estate his expertise? No
Loan dodger and pandering of bad taste? Yes
Putting up eyesore skyscrapers and using bankruptcy laws to bail himself out of many fiascos, on a serial basis, is quite an accomplishment and does make him an expert....at manipulating the laws, not real estate development.

@NYC10001-10305:
"I never understand these "first post" people who are all caps and controversial on this (or other) sites"
It's about 3 or 4 people that constantly open new profiles so they can stir the pot...the ultimate trolls, if you will. Their writing style, choice of subjects and lack of cleverness is a dead give away.

#27. 07/14/15 02:58 AM

CountessLuAnne 1903

Trump single-handedly convinced the world or at least anyone with any kind of intelligence, morals, empathy or humility that a Democrat with be in the President's Seat come 2016.
The Donald should have ran as an Independent, but I'm sure happy the Republicans got him.
It makes you wonder if there's way too much mercury in his toupee glue.

Thanks Mr. Trump....you fucked yourself.

#28. 07/14/15 02:58 AM

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