|
Manhattan Notes -
Neighborhood Profiles
|
|
Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00 |
The West Village is part of Greenwich Village and often referred to as one in the same. Located in the borough of Manhattan and situated between Hudson Street to the south and 14th Street to the north. A distinguishing yet confusing feature (especially to tourists, but residents as well) is the layout of the streets and sidewalks. Instead of being in the usual New York City grid of straight lines, the streets and sidewalks are set at an angle to the other streets in Manhattan.
Much of the housing in the West Village is a mix of buildings, much like the variety of people who reside there. From small apartment buildings and townhouses that were built in the mid to late 1800's to the new construction of affordable bright loft spaces. The older homes tend to be small in space but the charm and uniqueness of life in the West Village certainly makes up for it.
The West Village is known for its bohemian atmosphere. It attracts artists of all kinds as a place for creativity and expression of one's artistic nature. Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe and Walt Whitman are some of the classic authors who made their homes in the West Village.
European charm is abundant in the West Village from its tree lined streets to the many little cafe's and eatery's that can be found on Bleecker Street. Chef Mario Batali creates his fabulous Italian dishes at his restaurant, Babbo, on Waverly.
Young to middle age singles, as well as married couples without kids make up most of the population in the Village. A person has to be young or at least young at heart to take in all that the West Village has to offer. There is always something to choose from for night time entertainment, the West Village boasts over 100 bars and nightclubs. Daytime activities range from shopping in the trendy boutiques in the Meatpacking District to rejuvenating in Washington Square Park on a Sunday afternoon.
Considered by many as the spiritual soul of the city, the Village offers everything that one might expect and assuredly more.
|
