New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-19
THE REVOLUTIOy ON FIFTH AVENUE.

The present spring is making more evident
the fact that Fifth-ave.. below Forty second
ST., will ere long become largely an elegant
business thoroughfare. Every year has
witnessed the conversion of private houses
into shops in the lower part of this stately
street, until now some blocks are almost
entirely given up to business. Nor is this
relentless march of trade likely to stop at Forty
second-st. There are not wanting indications
that it will ultimately take possession of the
avenue MP to the Park. Such metamorphosis
though startling is not unnatural. In Selling
upon Fifth-ave. trade is simply doing what it
Always does--following the people by the easiest
and most direct lines, and presenting itself
where it can meet them In their daily
promenades. In fact the people themselves
imperiously demand that trade shall so follow
them and the tradesmen who refuse 10 obey
this demand are soon made to suffer for their
obstnacy. Ii is this fact which at once excuses
and makes necessary the conversion OF so many
handsome private streets into business
thoroughfares. Aud those who are inclined to
mourn over the business evolution OF lower
Fifth-ave. may recall tho fact that former
generations mOurned in the same way over the
departed glores of State-st., or the intrusion OF
vulgar trade into the sacred precincts Of lower
Broadway.
Nor is this fact without its compromising
advantages. 1t is, of course, always matter
for regret when old landmarks are swept away
and venerable buildings are ttrn down. This
regret is felt not only by those who are directly
interested, but by the public ut large. As
a matter of fact many architectural gems are
always destroyed or degraded by the require
ments Of commerce. There is, therefore,
sentimental and aesthetic side To the subject
that no material advantages can obscure. But
when all this is said it still remains true that
the prosperity and comfort Of a city depend
upon this very business activity which 50
remorseessly converts streets and avenues
to its own uses. And IN striking a balance of
the gains and losses entailed by the inroads of
business, it will generally be found that the
substantial gains far outweigh the losses.
But it must be borne III mind that even if
Fifth-ave. were turned into business
th0roughfare tomorrow, it would still retain
its pre-eminence rs a fashionable promenade
for many years to come In the first place, it is
not likely that any unpleasant business or
trade will be conducted in that avenue. And
in the next place, the snowy and handsome shops
that will line it will be an added attraction to
the fashionable lounger, while its situation
will, for many years yet make it the main
artery of communication for pedestrians and
carriages between lower New York and Central
Park. Those people, therefore, who imagine
that Fifth-ave. is rapidly being destroyed may
possess their souls in peace The catastrophe
they fear will not take place. On the contrary,
the Fifth-ave. of the future will be much the
same as the Fifth-ave. of to-day, the fashion,
able promenade of the great metropolis. Only
that instead of being lined with rich but s0mbrc
private residences, it vii be gay with brilliant
shops filed with rare and costly merchandise
from every quarter of the world. But we hope
that long before that time arrives some
! intelligent effort will be made to give this
noble avenue pavement at least fairly
passable. The present condition of large part
of it is disgraceful. and is doing far more to
destroy the avenue than any number of shops
could possibly Ito.