Union Square, one of downtown Manhattan’s focal points, is the name applied to the common space between 14th Street and 17th Street and bounded to the east and west by Union Square East, an extension of Park Avenue, and 4th Avenue.
The square, one of Manhattan’s most historic common spaces, began existence as a potter’s field –a burial place for the nameless poor, before being paved in the early 1800s and developed as a park. It became a center for political rallies, including one immediately before the Civil War that drew a reported quarter of a million people. Union Square went on to experience a renaissance in the early 1900s, followed by a period of decline which ended in the 1990s after a combination of public and private investment brought new life to the neighborhood.
Today, Union Square is a New York landmark, a major subway hub and a thriving commercial area, with some of the largest and busiest retail spaces in downtown Manhattan, a renowned greenmarket and several other seasonal outdoor markets.
What to do:
Catch a film at the massive Regal Stadium 14, work your way through the crowd at Whole Foods or just relax and enjoy world-class people watching on the Square.
Union Square loft culture:
Union Square is home to some of the most luxurious, in-demand upscale loft apartments in New York. Union Square lofts in high-rise buildings overlooking the park attract a hip and savvy mix of professionals with tremendous amenities and access to all of Manhattan. Union Square commercial lofts are also extraordinarily valuable, as the area is one of the busiest shopping locations in the city. All told, Union Square lofts provide tremendous investment value and a fun, fast-paced lifestyle you won’t find anywhere else.
