On Friday evening, the narrow climbing gym at Manhattan Plaza filled with people who had learned its walls by heart. Some came to climb, others to see old friends, eat together and say goodbye. Beneath the ropes and brightly colored holds, they marked the end of a place that had been part of their lives for years — and, for some, since childhood.
Crowds at the Manhattan Plaza Health Club climbing gym on Friday. Photo: Phil O’Brien
The Manhattan Plaza Health Club climbing gym is scheduled to close Wednesday, September 30, after 34 years. It opened in 1992 in a former racquetball court, becoming, according to the club, New York City’s first commercial climbing gym. Its farewell party brought back people that manager Ryan Shaefer said he hadn’t seen there in 14 years.
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Publisher & Editor Phil O’Brien is an entrepreneur and journalist. As an international photojournalist, he photographed Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Princess Diana and many others. He built a successful international sports photography agency, EMPICS, that was Getty Images’ major competitor in Europe when it sold. He founded a children’s charity in the UK that has helped young people through sport for over 15 years. Phil has lived in New York since 2012. He founded W42ST in 2014.