Union Square
Geographic Boundaries
Union Square is bounded by 14th Street to the south and 17th Street to the north, with Broadway intersecting its northwest corner before continuing southeast. The eastern and western edges are designated Union Square East and Union Square West, creating a three-block hub at the convergence of major thoroughfares including Fourth Avenue.
Businesses, Stores, and Retailers
The neighborhood features a mix of national chains like Whole Foods Market and DSW alongside boutique retailers such as Paragon Sports. Union Square Greenmarket dominates the park’s perimeter with over 140 vendors selling local produce, artisanal cheeses, and baked goods. The area also hosts flagship stores for brands like Nordstrom Rack and Barnes & Noble, alongside specialty shops catering to diverse interests.
Fine Dining and Restaurants
Union Square’s culinary scene includes upscale establishments such as The Smith, a modern American brasserie, and Tocqueville, offering refined farm-to-table menus. Iconic venues like ABC Kitchen emphasize sustainable dining, while specialty coffee shops like Joe Coffee Company attract daytime crowds. Ethnic cuisine thrives here, with options ranging from Japanese ramen at Ippodo NY to Mediterranean fare at Ilili.
History and Major Attractions
Laid out in 1832 and fully built by 1882, Union Square became a National Historic Landmark in 1997. The park’s central statue of George Washington marks the 1842 dedication site for the Marquis de Lafayette. During the 20th century, it served as a rallying point for labor movements and political protests. Today, attractions include the seasonal Holiday Market and the striking Abraham Lincoln statue by Henry Kirke Brown.
Architectural Landscape
High-rise residential towers like The Nouvel and Zeckendorf Towers dominate the skyline, blending glass-and-steel modernism with pre-war architectural elements. The Decker Building, a cast-iron structure at 33 Union Square West, exemplifies late 19th-century commercial design. Nearby, the former Tammany Hall building at 44 Union Square East showcases Beaux-Arts detailing.
Significant Buildings
The Union Square Savings Bank Building at 20 Union Square East, now a Trader Joe’s, features a landmarked 1927 neoclassical façade. 4 Union Square South houses the Con Edison clock tower, an Art Deco relic from 1928. The Strand Bookstore’s flagship location anchors a 1902 building at Broadway and 12th Street, just south of the official boundaries.
Transportation Infrastructure
Union Square is served by the 4/5/6, N/Q/R/W, and L subway lines at the 14th Street-Union Square station, one of NYC’s busiest transit hubs. Multiple bus routes including the M14, M1, and M3 converge here. Citi Bike stations and dedicated bike lanes along Broadway and 14th Street provide alternative commuting options.
Zip Codes
The primary zip code for Union Square is 10003, covering most of the neighborhood east of Broadway. Adjacent areas include 10011 (to the north near Chelsea), 10009 (Alphabet City to the east), and 10012 (Greenwich Village to the west). The southern boundary near 14th Street intersects with 10014 (West Village).
Corporate Presence
Technology firms like Yelp and Skillshare maintain offices near Union Square East, while media companies including HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster operate within proximity. Financial services firms such as Amalgamated Bank, headquartered at 275 Seventh Avenue, anchor the southwestern edge. Co-working spaces like WeWork and The Wing cater to startups and freelance professionals.