Flatiron

I've always wanted to work in the Flatiron District. Namely, I've always wanted to work in the Flatiron Building--once the tallest building in the world and New York's first skyscraper. This triangular structure serves as a constant reminder of industry forging ahead and reaching for the sky..a sentiment that is contagious to the surrounding area.

This iconic neighborhood is home to several publishing houses and graphic design firms, making a lot of its inhabitants smart, sharp, and fairly young. A variety of excellent restaurants open their doors to these trendy professionals, with large loft apartments hovering above.

Many of the buildings have Roman facades that evoke New York's Gilded Age, when every industry was booming. Businesses continues to soar in the Flatiron District, but in more virtual ways. More and more tech companies are planting their offices here, pumping in even more smart and capable youngsters.

This area has every thing you could want and is full of people you want. The tone is fast and friendly and people race along with intellect and style. A great place to live and an even better place to visit for a dose of modern inspiration.

If nothing else, the Flatiron is the best place in the city to eavesdrop. Whatever the next big thing may be, you'll hear it here first.

In case you are not aware of it, the Flatiron District is a small neighborhood in New York City that was named after the Flatiron Building at 23rd Street, Broadway, and Fifth Avenue.

The Flatiron District covers several acres of land with 20th Street, Union Square, Greenwich Village to the south; Sixth Avenue and Chelsea to the west; 25th Street and north of Madison Square Park to the north; Rose Hill to the northeast, and Lexington Avenue/Irving Place, and Gramercy Park to the east as borders.

If you ever went to the Flatiron District, and went to the center of it, you would notice that Broadway cuts through the middle of it.

The area covers a lot of territory. The main interests in the area is at Madison Square Park and the famous Flatiron building. The rest of the area simply encompasses tall commercial buildings and residential apartments.

This is where I typically go when I'm going on an outing to shop at the best/most affordable new clothes chain shops in the city: H&M and Zara. Sometimes, if I am feeling like spending a bit more money at such a chain, I'll stop into the neighborhood's Anthropologie. So, long story short, I am in the neighborhood quite a bit. (Though last time I stopped into H&M, I felt like I was in K-Mart. Let's hope the selection gets better with the arrival of spring.)

The Flatiron District is really quite lovely, in a New York City sort of way - and though the area around these shopping hot spots can be a little hectic, it's nothing like the chaos that is the Soho shopping district on Broadway - not even close.

I enjoy an evening stroll around the place, and the neighborhood is home to a lot of random eateries - but I have yet to explore many of them, as I'm usually too busy shopping.

Flatiron isn't a pretty neighborhood. In fact, it's very New York: all tall buildings with little green and a ton of commerce. But, it has some fun places to hang and cool shops and it's so central / easy to get to, it's hard to dismiss.
ABC Carpet and Home is an amazing store and is totally unique to New York. They house over 35,000 rugs as well as offering antiques, furniture and various other opulent home accents. It's giant and overwhelming but really fun.
Jo Malone is a cool store to pop into -- I always do. With a little help, you can design your own fragrance. And, there's something about this store that is just so New York to me.
5th avenue houses all kinds of shopping like Anthropologie, the original Barnes and Noble, a giant Gap, Coach, etc. It's the more accessible shopping area of 5th avenue but it's just as bustling.
Shaffer City on 21st st has a great happy hour where they offer oysters for 1.50 each and they're actually really good! And, newcomer Ryehouse is a place worth stopping in for a drink and a bite. The hipster staff are all friends, they're all mixologists and they're all devastatingly cool. The ambience and the mussels are pretty well worth the crowd.
Speaking of crowds, it's largely after work corporate crowd, so if you can't abide by that, or find them boring, etc .. . Flatiron may not be your scene.

The Flatiron District was named after its most historic landmark, the Flatiron Building (located at 23rd Street, Broadway and Fifth Avenue). History is home in this small and congested neighborhood. The area boasts the oldest New York skyscrapers (the Met Life Tower at 1 Madison Avenue) built in 1909.

There is an eclectic group of businesses and residents among the Flatiron District. From advertising agencies and publishers to Internet upstarts, this neighborhood has it all. Due to this mix of businesses, you find a wide variety of residents.

The area has two large parks, Madison Square Park and Union Square Park. Madison Square Park is lovely. It is about 6 acres of flowering plants and lush lawns, something New Yorkers never take for granted. There is a contemporary reflecting pool, restored fountains, ornamental lighting, and lots of new benches to sit and gaze. Danny Meyer’s famous Shake Shack is a must when in Madison Square Park. They have the thickest shakes in the nation, as well as top-rated burgers and fries. Kids love this place and swarm in droves around the lunch hour.

Union Square Park is a little more upscale in terms of find dining locales and nearby retailers. There is an amazing greenmarket selling fresh produce and baked goods every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. There is also an enormous Whole Foods Market at 4 Union Square South, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the park.

Flatiron is one of the more historic neighborhoods in Manhattan, with beautiful views and gorgeous homes and apartments. Located in the heart of the city and filled with a diverse population, Flatiron is a wonderful place for anyone to call, “home.”

Flatiron is given its namesake from the architectural dream building, the Flatiron Building, world renown for its unique triangular shape. One of the other famous landmarks in this neighborhood is the fabulous Madison Square Park, a perfect afternoon getaway from the hustle and bustle of midtown Manhattan. The Met Life Building as well as the Ladies’ Mile Historic District are places of interest in this sprawling neighborhood.

A highlight of this neighborhood is its proximity to other vibrant neighborhoods in the city, namely the Garment District. Within Flatiron and beyond, shopping is a huge plus, with various chain stores as well as unique boutiques located on virtually every street corner. Dining and Nightlife options are also plentiful throughout the neighborhood, as midtown Manhattan is world renown for its distinctive offerings. Restaurant Row on Park Avenue South is peppered with cuisine from around the world, some upscale, and some more wallet-friendly options. The lovely part about dining in New York is that price does not always dictate quality, so those living on a tight budget can still enjoy the creme de la creme of the Manhattan experience.

This neighborhood is classically urban, featuring real estate offering fantastic views of the city. Real Estate in Flatiron is relatively expensive in comparison with nearby areas, but has much more to offer in terms of variety.

Flatiron is also home to the City University of New York’s Baruch Campus as well as the birthplace of Theodore Roosevelt.

Though to many considered to be a neighborhood within a neighborhood, Flatiron maintains its own flare.