It’s merely a coincidence — etymologically it’s completely unrelated — but I like the way the name “Noyes” combines the negative and the affirmative in one name. Undoubtedly, the thousands who possess the name are not all moderates and are not all wishy-washy. It’s more likely just the opposite. But there it is.
And here this is — one of the highest painted ads you’re likely to see, on the 16th and 17th floors of the Pennsylvania Building, facing the east on West 34th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue. The Charles Floyd Noyes Company managed the Pennsylvania Building from 1951-1980.
Noyes, known as “The Dean of Real Estate” has his story recounted here, which also features a photo of him. And, it’s likely his name will remain visible high over West 34th Street for many more years, as this Mack billboard ad gets full sun in the morning but has remained stubbornly clear.
The Pennsylvania Building was built in 1925, but it’s likely the sign was painted in 1951 or a couple of years after that.
12/8/13