Karrie Jacobs

Karrie Jacobs is a veteran critic and observer of New York City’s architecture and development and a strong advocate of conducting research by walking around.

270 Park Avenue in New York City.

Norman Foster’s 270 Park and the Rise of the New Office Building Norman Foster’s 270 Park and the Rise of the New Office Building

The building's dramatic and dazzling feats of architecture make it appear as if it were hovering above the street. But is that a good thing?

Jun 16, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Karrie Jacobs

Altadena, California, after the January 2025 fires.

How Should Los Angeles Rebuild After the Fires? How Should Los Angeles Rebuild After the Fires?

In the aftermath of this year's catastrophic fires, architects and urban planners begin to consider how to rebuild.

May 19, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Karrie Jacobs

A restaurant on Atlanta’s BeltLine trail.

How Atlanta Became a Walkable City How Atlanta Became a Walkable City

The Beltline and Georgia's experiment in pedestrian spaces.

Mar 17, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Karrie Jacobs

A depiction of the Broadway Linear Park from 32nd Street in Manhattan.

Can New York’s Most Famous Street be Turned into a Park? Can New York’s Most Famous Street be Turned into a Park?

The effort to transform Broadway into a pedestrian space.

Oct 31, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Karrie Jacobs

One of the bridges over the Gowanus Canal.

The Transformation of Gowanus The Transformation of Gowanus

Can a Superfund site be remade into an experiment for equitable housing and eco-friendly development?

Jul 31, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Karrie Jacobs

Central Park Tower, One57, and 111 West 57th Street, 2022.

What’s the Deal With Manhattan’s Pencil-Thin High Rises? What’s the Deal With Manhattan’s Pencil-Thin High Rises?

A walk along 57th Street.

Jun 10, 2024 / Books & the Arts / Karrie Jacobs

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