Wall Street
Geographic Boundaries
The Wall Street neighborhood forms the core of Manhattan's Financial District, primarily bounded by Trinity Place to the west, Chambers Street to the north, the East River to the east, and Battery Park to the south. The intersection of Wall Street and Broad Street serves as its symbolic heart, surrounded by iconic institutions and historic landmarks.
Businesses and Economy
Wall Street remains synonymous with global finance, hosting major investment banks, hedge funds, and asset management firms. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) anchors the district as the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization. Surrounding blocks feature corporate headquarters, law firms, and financial service providers specializing in securities trading, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity.
Retail and Dining
While financial institutions dominate, the area includes upscale restaurants serving professionals and visitors. Establishments like Delmonico's (America's first fine-dining restaurant) and Cipriani Wall Street offer white-tablecloth experiences. Casual dining options and coffee shops cater to weekday workers, with limited retail beyond financial print shops and security equipment vendors.
Historical Attractions
The 1789 Federal Hall National Memorial marks George Washington's inauguration site, later serving as the first U.S. Capitol. The 1903 NYSE building features Corinthian columns and a marble trading floor. Trinity Church (1846), with its 280-foot spire, remains an active Episcopal parish near Wall Street's western end. The 17th-century Dutch city wall for which the street was named existed near present-day Pearl Street.
Architectural Landscape
The district showcases architectural evolution through its skyscrapers: the 1915 Equitable Building pioneered vertical office design, while 40 Wall Street (1930) briefly held the world's tallest building title. Modern additions include One World Trade Center (1,776 ft), featuring glass curtain walls and a spire visible across the city. Narrow cobblestone streets like Stone Street preserve 17th-century Dutch settlement patterns beneath canyon-like clusters of Art Deco and Beaux-Arts towers.
Other Significant Buildings
The 1930s-era Deutsche Bank Building (130 Liberty Street) underwent decontamination after 9/11 and now serves as a condominium tower. The neoclassical 14 Wall Street (originally Bankers Trust Company) features a pyramidal roof and golden atrium. 23 Wall Street, known as the "House of Morgan," still bears shrapnel marks from the 1920 Wall Street bombing.
Transportation Infrastructure
Multiple subway lines converge at Wall Street stations (2/3/4/5/A/C/J/Z). The PATH train connects to New Jersey via the World Trade Center station. Ferry terminals at Pier 11 and Battery Park provide routes to Brooklyn, Staten Island, and New Jersey. Water Street serves as a primary bus corridor for downtown routes.
Zip Codes
The Wall Street area primarily uses 10005, with adjacent zip codes including 10004 (Battery Park), 10006 (World Trade Center), 10007 (Civic Center), and 10038 (Fulton Street). The eastern portion near the South Street Seaport falls under 10038.
Prominent Companies
Major tenants include Goldman Sachs (200 West Street), JPMorgan Chase (formerly 23 Wall Street), and Morgan Stanley (1585 Broadway at Times Square, with trading floors downtown). Fintech firms like Robinhood and blockchain startups increasingly occupy co-working spaces near Stone Street. Insurance giants previously dominated the area now called Insurance Row near John Street.