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Full Disclosure, Theater District Noise

Dear Diary:

The following e-mail was sent by my husband in early August to someone interested in renting a “cube” in his office, in response to her question, “Is your office insulated from noise?”

One of the features of our space is our location in the heart of the theater district. We participate in that local soundscape, including the guide chatter from frequent tour buses, the weekly rush of Wednesday matinee traffic, the queues outside for “The Book of Mormon,” and the regular sound of horse-drawn carriages looking for tourists.

Depending on the season, we also sometimes hear faint strains of piano, singing and dancing as the theatrical companies in our building prepare for coming Broadway shows.

We regularly hear the bells from St. Malachy’s: the Actor’s Chapel right across the street (including a carillon performance of “There’s No Business Like Show Business” every Wednesday). We are also fortunate to be protected locally by F.D.N.Y. Engine 54 “Never Missed a Performance” and other fire engines very nearby, so we hear their activity and sirens every day.

Our windows can be opened, so we participate in those sounds more or less, depending on the season, but I would not call us insulated by any means.

- Dan

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