Welcome to Flatiron

WHAT TO EXPECT:

  • Quiet, but very hip

  • Loft Buildings

  • Great shopping

  • Terrific restaurants

  • Easy access to transit

Where 19th century history meets New York City’s modern buzz.

The Flatiron District, located in the heart of Manhattan, is a vibrant neighborhood brimming with history, culture and architectural marvels. The boundaries of the Flatiron District are not set in stone, but generally the neighborhood runs from 19th Street along the southern boarder, Sixth Avenue to the west, 25th Street to the north and Park Avenue South to the east.  This neighborhood borders Gramercy Park, Chelsea and Union Square.

Throughout the nineteenth century the Flatiron area was primarily residential, with a mix of brownstones and low-rise buildings, many of which are still standing. It was also home to many toy manufacturers and was originally called the “Toy District”. That changed with the construction of the Flatiron building in 1902. Designed by the renowned architect Daniel Burnham and located at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue, the Flatiron building at the time was the tallest skyscraper in NYC and it instantly become a landmark.  A fun fact is that the building was called the Flatiron because the iconic shape resembled the old flat irons that were used to press clothes.

Today, this area has evolved into a bustling commercial and residential hub. The Flatiron district is also home to some of the best shopping. In just a few blocks you will find Theory, Club Monaco, Aritzia, Lululemon, J. Crew.

Must-See Attractions Include:

  • Madison Square Park: Yes, it is indeed a square shaped park that is between Fifth and Madison and East 23rd Street and East 26th.It is a lovely green space sanctuary, and often hosts art installations and seasonal events.

  • Eataly: It is like going to Italy without the jet lag. Eataly is a sprawling and authentic Italian marketplace where everyone can devour mouth-watering bites, find often hard-to-find ingredients and enjoy the wine tastings events that just seem to spring up.

  • The Strand Bookstore: A beloved institution for book lovers that boasts a vast collection of new, used, and rare books across multiple floors. We never miss the opportunity to pop into this store when we are in the neighborhood. On your next visit, try to attend one of many book-signing events where you have direct access to interesting authors who often discuss their writing process and muses.

  • ABC Carpet & Home: An eclectic emporium featuring luxury home furnishings, decor, and artisanal goods - all housed in a historic building. This store can make anyone feel like an interior-design guru.

Some of our top restaurants choices, and there are many, include:

  • Craft: One of the top restaurants in the city, and it is definitely Maria’s favorite not just for the amazing food but also because founder Tom Colicchio and Maria both hail from the same home town. If you go, don’t miss the hamachi crudo and be sure to save room for the spiced sugar doughnuts.

  • Union Square Cafe: This restaurant was the brainchild of restauranteur, Danny Meyer, who introduced groundbreaking policies like seating diners at the bar and offering a variety of wines by the glass—innovations that made solo dining more inviting and are now industry standards. The real magic of Union Square Cafe, though, lies in its eclectic menu, where you can savor an Asian-inspired dish like roasted duck with caulilini, while your companion enjoys the Rigatoni al Quinto Quarto, a traditional Roman pasta. Though skeptics doubted such a diverse menu could succeed, Meyer trusted his instincts, which turned out to be a very fortunate thing for New Yorkers.

  • Boqueria Flatiron: You can’t find better tapas anywhere in the city -rom the marinated olives to the lamb skewers, to the garlicky shrimp, every bite is delicious.

  • Gotham Coffee Roasters: A small café but the coffee is mighty good. If you love the smell of roasting coffee, there’s no better place to indulge your senses.

Overall, the Flatiron District is a dynamic mix of artistic creativity, commercial vitality, historical legacy, and architectural beauty, making it a quintessential representation of all that New York City has to offer.