Jackson Heights Life

Moving the existing furniture around to visualize placement options for the bar and tables/seating. One conclusion - the entrance will be moved from the center to the left side (facing out). Photo: Paul Tate dePoo.

Some conclusions after poking around the space today...

I suspect that behind what are likely several layers of vinyl is a hardwood floor.

I also suspect that behind the drywall ceiling, the sole apparent purpose of which is to support dozens of cheap recessed lights, is an original ceiling.

Returning tomorrow with tools to carry out some measured destruction.

There's nothing more fun than a bit of architectural sleuthing

This sounds truly exciting!

Yes. As jhlifer has pointed out, there are architectural details on the facade of this building that have been hidden for decades.

We now think that that extends to the interior. The first clue was a bit of graded concrete from the sidewalk to the entrance that suggests that the floor is at a higher level than originally; as in, layers of vinyl over something else, hopefully hardwood.

Given the utilitarian drywall ceiling supporting recessed lighting (trendy before track lighting became trendy), there's also a pretty good chance that there's an original ceiling that has also been hidden for decades.

Anyway, we're going to find out in the next couple of days.

The glass facade is also obviously unoriginal. If anybody has information on the facade of this building (apart from the marble band that jhlifer has already pointed out), or similar buildings, it would be appreciated. Especially photographs. 

Yay! Can't wait!

thats an amazing name. now I think this is all a prank.

Sounds wonderful! And yes please to child-friendly. If you are looking for interesting wines from Spain, let me know. My husbands' family's company imports and distributes and we want to support our new home.

You cannot imagine how ecstatic I am with the prospect of such a restaurant. Couldn't come any sooner. When is the target date for opening?

One of the fun exercises in opening a restaurant is coming up with a name.

Not cast in stone, but at the moment it looks like we're going with Swim Two Birds.

It's a nod to Flann O'Brien, who was playful with, but also very much drew on, cultural tradition, and also a nod to a great river, the Liffey, the name of which means Life.