Stephanie Morin
THE PRESS
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The Strange Showcase: Bergdorf Goodman
What is the first address where would take refuge a niffler, a bulimic collector of all things that glitter? At the very chic Bergdorf Goodman! In the film, we can see this strange creature filling its belly pocket with jewelry in the window, under the dumbfounded eye of Newt Scamander. The company moved to 5th Avenue in 1928, in what was once the mansion of Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Victorian facades: at Tina and Queenie
These two neighboring apartment buildings served as the inspiration for Tina and Queenie Goldstein’s apartment. Built in 1881 by William Waldorf Astor and his father John Jacob Astor III, these buildings now house a literary agency. If the buildings cannot be visited, the Victorian facades are worth a look.
21-23, 26e West Street
La Banque : New York County National Bank
For Newt Scamander, it was at the Steen National Bank that the trouble began, with the loss of an egg about to hatch… This central location of the plot is inspired by the New York County National Bank and its grand limestone facade. In the 1920s, the place was indeed a bank. It now houses luxury apartments.
300, 14e West Street
Le Blind Pig: Rabbit Club
A hidden bar, where you have to ring a bell to be able to enter? Some of these remnants of prohibition have survived in New York, like this bar specializing in imported beers, located in Greenwich Village. The place inspired the creators of the film for the Blind Pig, this speakeasy bar run by the mafia borderline goblin Gnarlak.
124, rue Macdougal
Subway station: Metro City Hall
Beneath New York City Hall is one of the city’s hidden gems: the underground City Hall subway station. Closed since 1945, it is only open to the public on very rare occasions. Its architecture, all in curves, made a strong impression on the production team. The station, with its row of arches, has been faithfully reproduced for the purposes of the film.
Le MACUSA: Woolworth Building
This building was chosen by JK Rowling herself to house the United States Ministry of Magic, MACUSA. It was the owl sculpted above the portico that seduced her… In the film, the building has a secret door accessible only to wizards and witches. Until 1929, when the Chrysler Building was built, this skyscraper was the tallest in New York. Today, it has several luxury condos.
Chez Jacob : Tenement Museum
The Lower East Side Museum is housed in this building of rooms where dozens of immigrants from Europe were crammed. They could be 20 to live on one floor, with only one toilet at their disposal! This building has stood empty for years, so time seems to stand still here. The production team visited the premises to draw the interior of Jacob Kowalski’s apartment.
97, rue Orchard
Good to know
These places can easily be found without a guide, but they are far apart. It is also possible to take a guided bus tour inspired by the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and offered by On Location. Note: the stops do not always have direct links with the film and you hardly slow down in front of significant sites. However, the guide projects excerpts from the film and animates the passengers with a quiz about the feature film.
Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours Price: US$45 per person
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Stephanie Morin
THE PRESS
–
The Strange Showcase: Bergdorf Goodman
What is the first address where would take refuge a niffler, a bulimic collector of all things that glitter? At the very chic Bergdorf Goodman! In the film, we can see this strange creature filling its belly pocket with jewelry in the window, under the dumbfounded eye of Newt Scamander. The company moved to 5th Avenue in 1928, in what was once the mansion of Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Victorian facades: at Tina and Queenie
These two neighboring apartment buildings served as the inspiration for Tina and Queenie Goldstein’s apartment. Built in 1881 by William Waldorf Astor and his father John Jacob Astor III, these buildings now house a literary agency. If the buildings cannot be visited, the Victorian facades are worth a look.
21-23, 26e West Street
La Banque : New York County National Bank
For Newt Scamander, it was at the Steen National Bank that the trouble began, with the loss of an egg about to hatch… This central location of the plot is inspired by the New York County National Bank and its grand limestone facade. In the 1920s, the place was indeed a bank. It now houses luxury apartments.
300, 14e West Street
Le Blind Pig: Rabbit Club
A hidden bar, where you have to ring a bell to be able to enter? Some of these remnants of prohibition have survived in New York, like this bar specializing in imported beers, located in Greenwich Village. The place inspired the creators of the film for the Blind Pig, this speakeasy bar run by the mafia borderline goblin Gnarlak.
124, rue Macdougal
Subway station: Metro City Hall
Beneath New York City Hall is one of the city’s hidden gems: the underground City Hall subway station. Closed since 1945, it is only open to the public on very rare occasions. Its architecture, all in curves, made a strong impression on the production team. The station, with its row of arches, has been faithfully reproduced for the purposes of the film.
Le MACUSA: Woolworth Building
This building was chosen by JK Rowling herself to house the United States Ministry of Magic, MACUSA. It was the owl sculpted above the portico that seduced her… In the film, the building has a secret door accessible only to wizards and witches. Until 1929, when the Chrysler Building was built, this skyscraper was the tallest in New York. Today, it has several luxury condos.
Chez Jacob : Tenement Museum
The Lower East Side Museum is housed in this building of rooms where dozens of immigrants from Europe were crammed. They could be 20 to live on one floor, with only one toilet at their disposal! This building has stood empty for years, so time seems to stand still here. The production team visited the premises to draw the interior of Jacob Kowalski’s apartment.
97, rue Orchard
Good to know
These places can easily be found without a guide, but they are far apart. It is also possible to take a guided bus tour inspired by the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and offered by On Location. Note: the stops do not always have direct links with the film and you hardly slow down in front of significant sites. However, the guide projects excerpts from the film and animates the passengers with a quiz about the feature film.
Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours Price: US$45 per person
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