Long Island City Graffiti Mecca, 5 POINTZ NYC, The Day Before It Was Whitewashed

The graffiti destination in Long Island City called 5 POINTZ has been whitewashed by the owners of the building. Starting Monday afternoon, the owners painted over the colorful murals that once made this a mecca for graffiti artists. The old warehouse and former landmark for graffiti artists would eventually be razed and turned into luxury condos, after years of debate and legal wrangling. These photos were taken last Sunday, the day before the graffiti art was covered with white paint. 

Graffiti Art Mecca In Long Island City: 5 POINTZ

Not far from the MOMA/P.S.1 is a large scale collage of graffiti art covering a converted warehoouse full of artist studios. It is called 5 POINTZ, named after the 5 boroughs of NYC: Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. The art of famous and novice graffiti artists covers the building's facade, all done with the permission and encouragement of the building's owner. The building has gained prestige and fame. Magazines such as “Glamour” have featured articles about it, and big fashion corporations such as H&M use the walls for backdrop in their photo-shoots. I made some of the images from the elevated 7 subway train.

From queens.about.com

Visiting Times: Informally open mornings and afternoons during the week and on weekends. Occasional events on the weekend.

Address: 5 Pointz, Jackson Avenue at Crane Street and Davis Street, the whole block, Long Island City, NY 11101

Directions by Car:

• Queensboro Bridge to Queens Blvd, right on Jackson Ave, left on Purves.
• Midtown Tunnel/LIE-East exit at Van Alst and follow 21st St, turn right on Jackson, and right on Crane.
• LIE-West exit Van Dam, right on Van Dam, left on Thompson, left on Jackson, and left on Crane.

Subways: E, V subways to 23 St/Ely Ave., 7 to 45 Rd/Court House Sq., G to Court House Square.

Buses: Q67 to Jackson and 46th Ave. B61 to 46th Ave.