Pershing Square Bridge (New York City, New York)

 bridge, movie / film / TV location

The Pershing Square Viaduct, also known as the Park Avenue Viaduct, carries vehicular traffic on Park Avenue from 40th to 46th Streets around Grand Central Terminal and the MetLife Building, then through the Helmsley Building. This bridge segment, between 40th & 42nd Street, runs above Pershing Square. The square is named after General John J. Pershing.

Consequently, the southern portion of the viaduct between 40th and 42nd Streets is also known as the Pershing Square Viaduct. It was designed by Warren & Wetmore with William J. Wilgus as chief engineer, and the initial section of the viaduct was built between 1917-1919. The eastern leg was completed in 1928. It was inspired by the Alexander III Bridge in Paris, France.

The space under the viaduct between 41st and 42nd Streets was originally used as a trolley barn. In 1938, the city announced that it would build a tourist information center within that space in advance of the 1939 New York World's Fair. The city subsequently built a steel and glass-brick structure under the center arch of the viaduct. The structure, located at 90 East 42nd Street, opened in December 1939 and was initially used to provide tourist information. During World War II, the space was used by United Service Organizations, and after the war, became an outpost of the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau. In 1995, the city and the Grand Central Partnership unveiled plans to restore the space under the viaduct at a cost of $2 million, then lease it as a restaurant. The Pershing Square Cafe signed a lease at the space in 1997.

The underpass of Pershing Square was used as a filming for the cold open of White Collar S01 E05 "The Portrait" where Neal and Mozzie look for a note left by Kate. Later in the episode Kate is seen on the overpass in front of a statue while speaking to Neal over the phone to ask him where he has hidden his money. The bridge also served as a primary location for the climatic Battle of New York scene in "The Avengers".


www.youtube.com/watch?v=E64yjT-2aZE