The Tiny Titan of New York Real Estate
So, you wanna know about the smallest piece of property in New York City? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because this tale is as tiny as the plot itself.
The Hess Triangle: A Concrete Conundrum
Meet the Hess Triangle, a concrete love child of urban planning gone awry. Imagine this: it’s the early 1900s, New York City is booming, and the powers-that-be decide to widen a street and build a subway. Sounds great, right? Well, not for one David Hess, who owned a five-story apartment building smack dab in the middle of their plans.
Hess was having none of it. He fought the city tooth and nail, but eventually, the big guns of eminent domain won. His building was demolished, but in a classic case of "oops," a tiny triangular bit of land was overlooked. And just like that, the Hess Triangle was born.
A Patch of Property with Attitude
This little slice of New York is more than just a concrete triangle. It's a symbol of defiance, a testament to the underdog spirit, and, quite frankly, a real estate agent's worst nightmare. It’s about as big as your average dinner plate, and yet, it’s owned by a family who has steadfastly refused to sell it.
The Hess family has slapped a mosaic on it that proudly proclaims, "Property of the Hess Estate, which has never been dedicated for public purposes." Talk about a power move! It’s like the tiny equivalent of a middle finger to the city.
So, Who's the Boss of This Tiny Turf?
The Hess family still owns it. And while it's unlikely to make them billionaires anytime soon, it's a pretty cool story to tell at parties. Imagine introducing yourself as the owner of the smallest piece of property in New York City. That's a conversation starter, right there.
How To... Hess Triangle Trivia
- How to impress your friends: Drop the Hess Triangle fact into any conversation about New York City. Bonus points if you can recite the dimensions.
- How to become a real estate legend: Buy the Hess Triangle. Okay, maybe not. But you could certainly become the talk of the town.
- How to appreciate the little things: Look at the Hess Triangle next time you're in the area. It's a reminder that even the smallest things can have a big story.
- How to defy authority (kind of): Put a tiny flag or something equally ridiculous on the Hess Triangle. Just kidding, don't do that.
- How to make a million dollars: Invent a product so small it can fit on the Hess Triangle. Now there’s a challenge!