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Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
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Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
Located in the Manhattan borough of New York City, the East Village neighborhood is located north of Houston and south of 14th Street. Once considered a questionable area, the East Village has become home to professionals, artists and students of NYU yet has a real bohemian atmosphere.
In the last ten years, the East Village has seen an influx of new businesses opening many of which are art and music related. One of a kind boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and bars can be found all over the neighborhood. The East Village is known for it's considerable contribution to American arts and culture. With many artists and musicians getting their start here from the birth of punk music at the CBGB nightclub to modern American artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jeff Koons.
Razed and revitalized in 1991, Tompkins Square Park is in the center of the East Village. Once a shanty town for the homeless, the park was the sight for many riots in 1988 and 1995 as police disbanded the homeless encampments. After the razing of Tompkins Square Park in 1991, the park is now a welcoming place with it's two dog runs, tree lined path's, weekend farmers market and outdoor theater.
Housing costs in the East Village remain moderate in New York terms. The homes are made up mostly of pre war walk-ups, many which have been refurbished. Though small in size, the homes contain a certain charm. New residential buildings have been constructed in the area and one of the first residential buildings to be pre-wired for high speed internet is located here at 3rd Street and Avenue A (the Info Building).
Alphabet City, referred to this because of it's location between Avenue's A,B,C, and D, is part of East Village and because of the continuing revitalization and less expensive housing costs many residents are moving in. This, of course, causes the businesses to move in as well.
The East Village has seen it's share of changes over it's time. From the late 19th century when it was home to German immigrants and later Eastern European immigrants to the late 50's and 60's when it was a popular place for hippies, bikers, beatniks, punk rockers and artists. Now, in the 21st century it has become a ever growing yuppie neighborhood though still maintaining it's creative and artistic nature.
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