6. The Players Gaslights Are Among the Few Remaining in New York City

Very much like the rest of the building, the exterior of The Players is notable for its ornate fixtures. A gold and black, wrought-iron railing surrounds the structure, stone balconies divide its floors, and the club’s insignia, depicting two masks associated with comedy and tragedy, decorates its facade. The front entrance was relocated to street level during the renovation prior to the club first opening in 1888.

Particularly noteworthy are the two Renaissance-style gas lamps, with foot-long, jutting spikes, that frame each side of the entrance. They are still functioning (after being restored in recent years) and are today a rarity in New York City. When they were first installed, however, some complained that the lamps were a “garish addition to the neighborhood’s refined architecture.”