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Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
SoHo is within the streets of Houston to the north, Canal Street to the south, Lafayette to the east and Sixth Ave to the west. SoHo was the first neighborhood in New York City to create its own acronym for its area. Created from a play on the name of the famous shopping district in London, South of Houston Street, pronounced "HOUSE-tin" (it helps if you say it with a British accent)SoHo was created and soon other area's had done the same such as TriBeCa and DUMBO.
SoHo is also referred to as the Cast Iron District. Many of the buildings built between the 1850's and 1880's feature facade's of cast iron that was mass produced locally in the area. This former industrial area had declined severely for much of the 20th century and in the 1960's there was an attempt by the then mayor to construct two elevated highways connecting the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges to the Holland Tunnel. Challenged by the historic preservation movement because it would mean the destruction of several historic buildings, the plan for the highways was eventually defeated and the area was designated as the Cast Iron Landmark District.
With many of the industrial buildings empty and undesired by the manufacturers in the 1970's, the buildings began to fill with artists. Attracted by the large upper floors with tall ceilings and vast amounts of natural light the artists had discovered the perfect area to set up their studio's and homes. Thus, the artist's loft was created.
The renaissance in the 1970's of SoHo has made the area into a upscale residential neighborhood and is one of the most desired areas to live. The once industrial buildings have been lovingly restored and renovated into luxurious loft homes with many of the tenants having boutiques and galleries located in the same buildings at street level.
SoHo is still home to many artists but has also become famous for its fashion. Fashion designers and clothing manufacturers have set up shop here and it's not uncommon to catch a glimpse of a fashion model strolling along Broadway.
A popular place for tourists, Soho is abundant with shopping and dining experiences from it's unique boutiques to first class restaurants. Also home to the Guggenheim Museum and off Broadway theaters, tourists can always experience a perfect day in New York City.
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Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
The neighborhood of Chelsea is set between Midtown and the West Village. Orginally a tract of farmland bought in 1750 by Captain Thomas Moore, for his retirement, the land was built into a garden suburb by his grandson Clement Moore. Clement, considered the founding father of Chelsea, set building guidelines for the area that are still in effect today.
Chelsea extends over a large area extending from west of 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) to the Hudson River and between 14th Street and 29th Street. Though it covers a large area, Chelsea is a neighborhood with a peaceful small town feel. Its veritable montage of residents is a mixture of artists, subsidized housing tenants and a sizable gay community.
Residential buildings in Chelsea range from some of the prettiest 19th century brownstones in NYC to large apartment buildings. Designers, photographers and artists who reside in Chelsea make their homes in the newer loft buildings. Slightly less expensive than the West Village, homes in Chelsea are great for room-mates as there are several multi bedroom homes.
Like so many of the neighborhoods, if not all in New York City, Chelsea is known for some of its landmarks. The Hotel Chelsea attracted attention in 1978 for the slaying of Nancy Spungen by Sid Vicious. It has also been home to many celebrities over the years. Chelsea Piers was originally a luxury cruise ship terminal and now the northern part is a sports and entertainment complex, complete with a massive gym where many of Chelsea residents get their workouts in.
The vast neighborhood of Chelsea offers residents and tourists alike a great variety of shopping. For grocery shopping, it's never to far to travel from the smaller markets around the corner to the mall-like Chelsea Market. Other shopping venues range from bargain basement shopping in the twenties to major retailer in the teens. For the arts in Chelsea, one can find numerous art galleries and museums along Sixth Avenue.
Chelsea is a safe and comfortable neighborhood, where it seems that everyone knows your name.
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Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
The Financial District, home to Wall Street and synonymous with the world's financial center, has seen a steady increase in it's residential population. Once the primary district of the city, the neighborhood at night was rather ghostly as everyone headed home after the closing bell. With the opening of shops and restaurants, the area has become a genuine neighborhood in New York.
Located at the southernmost tip of Manhattan, the Finacial District covers everything below Chinatown and Tribeca. The heart of the district is often considered to be at the corner of Wall Street and Broad and this is where the NY Stock Exchange and the city's major financial institutions have their headquarters.
In typical NY style, numerous office buildings have been converted into luxurious residential buildings that provide hotel like features such as doorman and private gyms. Investment bankers and stock brokers enjoy the convenience of walking to work and enjoying a night life without the hassle of mass transit.
Life in the Financial District is enhanced by the South Street Seaport with its waterfront shops and restaurants. It also holds open air concerts in the summer. Catering to the financial crowd, Giovanni's Atrium, a established high end restaurant is among the fine dining available.
Because of it's location that offers views of Manhattan from almost every angle and post 9/11 rent subsidies, the Financial District contiues to see a growth in the residential population.
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Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
Little Italy, located in lower Manhattan between Soho and Chinatown is home to many second and third generations of Italian immigrants who migrated to the United States in the late 1800's and early 1900's. In a census taken in 1900 the Italian population in New York City alone was 225,000 and by 1904 the number had reached 575,000.
Like the regions in Italy, Little Italy became a region specific neighborhood. For example, immigrants from Northern Italy settled along Bleecker Street, the Geneoese settled along Baxter Street and families from Western Sicily made their homes along Elizabeth Street.
Today, the Italian population has shrunk significantly as families have moved out of the city to the outer boroughs and beyond creating other "Little Italy's" in those neighborhoods. There is the Little Italy of the Bronx, of Brooklyn, Queens, Bensonhurst, Howard Beach and on Staten Island where 40% of the population is of Italian Ancestory. Much of the neighborhood has been absorbed by Chinatown as more immigrants from China and other Eastern countries came to NYC. The neighborhood north of Little Italy near Hudson Street known as NoLita is no longer reconizably Italian.
Plan a visit in September when New York City's biggest, best known street party takes place, The Feast of San Gennaro. The festival is the city's longest running and is in honor of the Patron Saint of Naples. This 11 day party features a religious procession along the lengths of Mulberry and Mott Streets as well as many events and festivities taking place during the festival.
Though smaller in size, the community maintains its strong Italian spirit and visitors continue to flock the area for a sampling of it's Old World charm. Short of going to Italy, satisfying a craving for a true espresso and canoli can be done at one of the many al fresco cafe's or after dinner at one of the fine dining restaurants. |
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Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
The lower tip of the island of Manhattan is often to referred to as Downtown or Lower Manhattan. It was our nations first capital and the point of entry for the millions of immigrants that came to our country seeking a better life.
The area can be generally defined as being located within the borders of Chambers Street to the north, the Hudson or North River to the west, South by Battery Park and to the east by the East River. Of course, depending on which New Yorker you ask, the lines tend to blur. Some consider Downtown to begin where Midtown ends at 23rd Street. Others would say that it extends even farther north to Canal Street.
Downtown is where you will find the Financial District and the site of the World Trade Center as well as being the center for NYC government offices.
Thousands of people reside in Lower Manhattan in the area south of Houston Street. Considered one of the city's most livable areas, the neighborhoods include Battery Park, Chinatown, Little Italy, Tribeca, Soho, the Financial District and the Lower East Side. Many of the residents live within walking distance of their jobs and enjoy life outside of work at the numerous restaurants, shops and cultural activities.
Some interesting facts about Downtown:
- It was the site of our Nations first Capitol
- Author Jack London once lived as a hobo in Central Park
- Bowling Green is the oldest park in NYC
- Legend has it that the Dutch trader, Peter Minuit purchased the island from the Leni Lenape Indians for a mere $24 in trinkets.
- From 1892 to 1924, 12 million immigrants entered the United States through Ellis Island
- The Woolworth Building was the tallest building in the world from 1913 to 1929
- St. Paul's Chapel is Manhattan's oldest public building in continuous use
- The New York Stock Exchange has an annual trading volume of $5.5 trillion.
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