While cooling towers themselves may not be inherently “fun,” here are five interesting and perhaps unexpected facts about New York City’s cooling towers:
- Birdwatching Hotspots: Some cooling towers in NYC unintentionally serve as birdwatching hotspots. Birds are attracted to the warm, misty plumes emitted by the towers.
Bird enthusiasts have been known to gather near certain buildings to observe and document the diverse avian species that congregate in these areas, creating a unique urban birdwatching experience. - Unexpected Art Canvases: Graffiti artists have turned some cooling towers into unexpected art canvases. Given their prominent locations on rooftops and often plain appearance, some cooling towers have become targets for street artists, transforming these industrial structures into colorful and visually interesting pieces of outdoor art. This adds an element of surprise to the cityscape.
- Movie Set Backdrops: NYC’s iconic skyline, featuring cooling towers among other structures, has become a popular backdrop for movies and TV shows. The distinct shape and appearance of cooling towers can be seen in various film scenes, contributing to the cinematic portrayal of the city. They often play a role in establishing the urban and industrial atmosphere of the scenes.
- Cooling Towers in Pop Culture: Cooling towers have made appearances in popular culture beyond just movies. They occasionally find their way into music videos, album covers, and even as symbols in art installations. Their prominence in the cityscape makes them recognizable elements that artists use to evoke a sense of the urban environment.
- Architectural Variety: While many cooling towers in NYC serve a purely functional purpose and may not be visually striking, there is a surprising amount of architectural variety among them. Some buildings incorporate aesthetically pleasing cooling tower designs, showcasing a blend of functionality and architectural creativity. This diversity adds an interesting dimension to the city’s skyline
