“Live a Little Better” (LeFrak City)

A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.

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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.

Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.

Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.

Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.

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Entry from May 28, 2006

“Live a Little Better” (LeFrak City)

The 1960s slogan of LeFrak City in Queens has been "Live a Little Better." The slogan can still be read daily by the thousands of people who drive by each day.

About.com
"LeFrak City: One of Largest Housing Complexes in Queens"
From John Roleke.

Definition: LeFrak City is a gargantuan complex of 18-story buildings with 5,000 apartments, built on 40 acres of land, alongside the Long Island Expressway (LIE) in Corona, Queens. Over 15,000 people live in LeFrak City.

The LeFrak Organization broke ground in 1960, finishing by 1969, and offered air-conditioned apartments at $40 a room. The LeFrak strategy of "Total Facilities for Total Living" meant bringing recreational, shopping, tranportation, and other services to the residents. From the start, this housing for working class families was a success.

myspace.com
""Lefrak City....Live A Little Better""

14 May 1961, New York Times, pg. R3 ad:
Live a little better with Lefrak!

Posted by Barry Popik
New York City • Buildings/Housing/Parks • Sunday, May 28, 2006 • Permalink

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