Mr. Buchbinder

Back in April I met a really nice gal who moved from Australia a number of years ago, who happens to have the same love for the city and cycling as I do. We met for lunch and I learned about her past as a personal assistant working for a gentleman, Mr. Buchbinder. Mr. B was a principle in Buchbinder & Warren real estate management and brokerage firm and spearheaded Union Square’s renaissance. Truly a New York City icon. I read a tribute to Mr. B when he passed and thought it was so perfect: Every man dies; but not every man has really lived. Norman lived. Norman blazed through life, softly, gently, generously, and with dignity and elegance. Love it! Now those are words to live by.

Outside of his building, overlooking Union Square, above a standpipe is a tiny seat with a small plaque…Be seated, rest, dream…This is New York! Mr. B. was responsible for this effort. I say effort because structures are often used to prevent people from sitting on standpipes. I would have loved to have met him! My kind of man!

Thanks Ulli (my visiting exchange student from Finland 18 years ago) for being the perfect model!