What Manhattan neighborhood boasts cobblestoned streets, factory lofts-gone-residential, an international film festival and the firehouse from Ghostbusters? Why TriBeCa, of course!
A Recent History
In the 1970s, TriBeCa, short for the Triangle Below Canal St., became one of Lower Manhattan’s first manufacturing neighborhoods to be renamed and rezoned for residential use. The decades before had seen an exodus of industrial and commercial tenants and the area, then known as Washington Market, or simply the Lower West Side, had fallen into disuse.
With the 80s arrived artists and families, spurring urban renewal which has since characterized Manhattan’s west side.
TriBeCa Revitalized
Today, in classic New York form, TriBeCa’s gritty exterior conceals some of the most expensive apartments. In fact, TriBeCa is second only to SoHo in terms of real estate value in the city, ranking as the country’s 7th most expensive zip code, according to Forbes Magazine.[1]
Hidden on Harrison St. is a lone row of 18th century Federal-Style Townhouses built by John McComb Jr., who designed City Hall
A walk through Tribeca reveals a unique mix of historic and modern, grungy and chic. New development, such as the Washington Market Park, the TriBeCa Grand Hotel, and countless Zagat-rated restaurants only add to the neighborhood’s appeal.
The storefronts that once sold dairy as an extension of the 19th Century Washington Market now converted to upscale furniture and antiques stores. The roofs above the storefronts used to shade eggs and butter from sunlight in the absence of refrigeration.
Best times to visit TriBeCa in 2012
- April 18-29 – The 11th Annual TriBeCa Film Festival, created by Robert Di Nero to revitalize the neighborhood after 9/11
- April 27-30 – The 16th Annual TriBeCa Open Artist Studio Tour, a weekend of free, public, self-guided tours through 40 studios showcasing the work of over 100 artists
- Whenever the weather is nice! – Especially to enjoy Hudson River Park Pier 25 and its beach volleyball courts, mini golf, and great views of the Hudson
The view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Pier 25, just across West St. from TriBeCa.
[1] America’s Most Expensive Zip Codes 2011. Forbes. Retrieved 25 Jan 2012.
