Rent Office Bowery

The Bowery, one of New York City's oldest and most iconic streets, has a rich history that spans centuries. This 1.25-mile stretch of road in Lower Manhattan has witnessed numerous transformations, reflecting the ever-changing face of New York City itself.

Boundaries

The Bowery runs from Chatham Square at its southern end to Cooper Square at its northern terminus. It serves as a border between several neighborhoods:

• To the west: Little Italy and NoHo
• To the east: Lower East Side and East Village
• To the south: Chinatown

The area known as the Bowery neighborhood roughly extends from Canal Street in the south to East 4th Street in the north, and from Allen Street in the east to the Bowery itself in the west.

History

The Bowery's history is as old as New York itself, predating even the arrival of European settlers:

• Pre-colonial era: It was originally a Lenape Native American trail.
• Dutch colonial period (1624-1664): The Dutch widened the trail and named it "Bouwerij" (farm road).
• English colonial period (1664-1783): It became part of the Boston Post Road and was lined with expensive mansions.
• Post-Revolutionary War: George Washington marched his victorious troops down the Bowery in 1783.
• 1780s-1830s: The area became a butcher's district.
• 1830s-1860s: It was a respectable street inhabited by wealthy merchants.
• 1870s onwards: The Bowery transformed into a commercial area with cheap lodgings, becoming New York's first entertainment district.
• Late 19th-early 20th century: It gained notoriety as a "Skid Row".
• Mid-20th century: The area declined further, reaching its nadir in the 1970s.
• Late 20th-early 21st century: The Bowery has undergone significant gentrification, becoming a trendy area with upscale businesses and residences.

Types of Buildings

The Bowery boasts a diverse architectural landscape, reflecting its long and varied history:

• Federal-style rowhouses: Some of the oldest surviving buildings in Manhattan, dating back to the late 18th century.
• Institutional buildings: Many from the mid-19th century, reflecting the area's German immigrant population.
• Commercial loft buildings: Dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Tenements: Built to house the influx of immigrants in the late 19th century.
• Modern high-rises: Recent additions, including luxury condominiums and hotels.

Subways

The Bowery is well-served by public transportation:

• Bowery station: Serves the J and Z trains of the BMT Nassau Street Line.
• Nearby stations include:
  • 2nd Avenue (F train)
  • Broadway-Lafayette Street (B, D, F, and M trains)
  • Spring Street (6 train)

Restaurants

The Bowery has become a dining destination in recent years:

• Gemma: An Italian trattoria in The Bowery Hotel
• Bowery Meat Company: An upscale steakhouse
• Vandal: A trendy restaurant and lounge
• Wayan: An Indonesian-French fusion restaurant

Museums

The Bowery is home to several notable museums:

• New Museum: A contemporary art museum founded in 1977.
• International Center of Photography Museum: Relocated to the Bowery in 2016.
• Tenement Museum: Located nearby on Orchard Street, it offers insights into immigrant life in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Retail Stores

The Bowery has evolved from its past as a lighting fixture district to include a diverse range of retail options:

• John Varvatos: Luxury menswear store in the former CBGB space.
• Patagonia Bowery: Outdoor clothing and gear store.
• Bowery Whole Foods Market: A large organic grocery store.
• Patricia Field: A boutique known for its eclectic fashion offerings.

Company Offices

While not traditionally known as an office district, the Bowery has attracted some notable companies:

• Vice Media: Headquartered nearby in Williamsburg, with offices on the Bowery.
• Sunshine Sachs: A public relations firm with offices on the Bowery.
• Several tech startups and creative agencies have also set up shop in the area.

Universities

While there are no universities directly on the Bowery, several notable institutions are in close proximity:

• New York University: Its main campus is just west of the Bowery in Greenwich Village.
• Cooper Union: Located at the northern end of the Bowery at Cooper Square.
• Parsons School of Design: Part of The New School, located nearby in Greenwich Village.

The Bowery's transformation from a Native American trail to a Dutch farm road, from an entertainment district to a notorious slum, and finally to its current status as a trendy neighborhood, encapsulates the dynamic history of New York City itself. Today, it stands as a testament to urban renewal and the preservation of historical heritage, with its mix of centuries-old buildings and modern developments. The street continues to evolve, balancing its gritty past with an increasingly upscale present, making it a fascinating microcosm of New York City's ongoing transformation.