Stoops as a Respite in These Challenging Times

As New York City has shut down and people remain physically isolated, stoops provide spaces where residents can safely connect with others and the city itself.

1 minute read

April 5, 2020, 11:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Brownstones

Brian Goodman / Shutterstock

"With bars and coffee shops closed [in New York City], stoops are having a moment. They’re serving as an understudy for the 'third place,' those spots that are neither home nor work, but are vital for forging social connections and maintaining happiness," writes Doug Gordon.

Stoops connect homes to the street while also offering a median space, says Gordon. They have always had a place in the urban landscape of the city, offering a place for people to watch urban life pass by them.

"And in this particular moment, when we must remain physically distant, the stoop is the best place for New Yorkers to go when they’re craving the sort of social closeness only this great city can provide," Gordon says.

Friday, March 27, 2020 in Curbed New York

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