Wandering The Streets With A Rich Past - Greenwich Village

City Walks

Oct 25

Originally a courthouse, the Jefferson Market Library is a landmark building designed by Frederick Clark Withers and Calvert Vaux in Victorian Gothic style. This courthouse was the center of national attention back in 1906 when Harry K. Thaw was tried here for the murder of architect Sanford White, a crime of passion involving chorus girl Evelyn Nesbit.

Greenwich Village

The Village is one of New York’s most historically rich neighborhoods and it has architecture spanning all eras. It is almost like a time capsule that has embraced culture and counter-culture alike. Originally attracting artists, writers, musicians and actors, this area is full of old New York charm with buildings tucked away on winding streets created before the existence of the grid.

Here is what caught my eye. I hope you enjoy!

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Adjoining Sheridan Square is Christopher Park, where you’ll find The Gay Liberation Monument sculpture by George Segal. The sculpture honors the gay rights movement and events that happened at the Stonewall Inn across the street.

The buildings, on the north side of Washington Mews, were built as homes by Sailors Snug Harbor for elderly and destitute sailors.

Many of these charming homes now have landmark status.

The buildings, on the south side of Washington Mews, were built as two-story carriage houses for the townhouses facing Washington Square Park.

One of the oldest houses in the Village stands as a sunny reminder of a bygone age on Charles Street.

This is one of the converted former stables that still exists.

This former stable at 360 West 11th Street is the foundation for Palazzo Chupi.

Palazzo Chupi, designed in the style of a Venetian palazzo by Julian Schnable, sits on top of a former horse stable.

Charming storefronts

Pictured here is the gate of Washington Mews, a gated walkway that captures the magic of the area, with a street of converted two-story carriage houses.

A look down Washington Mews

MacDougal & West 8th

MacDougal Alley, off of MacDougal Street, contains former stables that were built for the wealthy of Washington Square North and West Eight Street.

A mixture of architectural styles add to the character of the neighborhood.

Neighborhood cocktail spot

Lively MacDougal Street

Neon signs guide you to local spots.

Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Lenny Bruce and Joan Rivers have all performed at Cafe Wha?, the historic establishment on MacDougal Street.

The Cherry Lane Theater is the oldest and longest continuously running Off-Broadway theater on Commerce Street, constructed originally as a silo in 1817. The building went through some changes during the years, serving as a brewery, tobacco warehouse and a box factory before becoming a theater.

Built in 1831, at 39 and 41 Commerce Street, are twin but separate homes joined together by a small shared garden.

Originally Empire Hose Company No. 40 on Barrow Street, this firehouse was built in 1852 and is one of the oldest in New York, built even before the FDNY was organized.

Engine Company 18 responded to the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire of 1911 as well as the World Trade Center attack of 9/11 and still stands on West 10th Street.

Ornate architectural design on West 10th Street

Classic Federal-style home on Gay Street

Washington Square Arch detail

The Washington Square Arch, designed by Sanford White in 1891, commemorates George Washington’s 1789 inauguration.

Family-owned neighborhood shop

Feast On Us on Hudson Street

Inspirational sidewalk message

First Presbyterian Church on Fifth Avenue

Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney bought several West Eight Street buildings to form a studio which went on to become the first location of the Whitney Museum at 8 West Eight Street. I did a tour of the New York School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture, that now occupies the building, and this allowed me access to the private MacDougal Alley.

Christmas in Washington Square Park

Outside dining options

The history of Washington Square Park, the centerpiece of the Village, was originally a public execution area and a Potter’s Field, before it was moved to what is now Bryan Park. Just imagine, Robert Moses wanted to have a road run right through it, but the residents, including Eleanor Roosevelt, fought against it. The northern border of the park, with its homes that retain their original look, were home to Edith Wharton, Alexander Hamilton, Edward Hopper, Richard Morris Hunt, Winslow Homer, and Samuel Morse, to name a few.

Greenwich Village has been home to John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Lauren Bacall, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, Jackson Pollack, Marshall Field, Robert DeNiro, Robert Downey Jr., Emma Stone, Edward Albee, Anderson Cooper, Leonardo DiCaprio, Dustin Hoffman, Marc Jacobs, Annie Leibovitz, Julianne Moore, Edgar Allen Poe, Anna Wintour and the list goes on. Many movies were filmed in the neighborhood including: When Harry Met Sally, Rear Window, Wait Until Dark, The Pope of Greenwich Village, I Am Legend, and Waderlust, and television’s Friends, Kate & Allie, Barney Miller, Mad Men, Sex in the City, and Mad About You.

What you should know:

This area is very walkable.
You could spend a couple of hours to an entire day.
There are many restaurants and entertainment options.
Catch a sunset on Pier 45 at Hudson River Park.
Be aware of bicycles, motor bikes, and other motorized means of transportation that do not adhere to traffic signals.

Location:

The neighborhood goes from the Broadway to the Hudson River and Houston Street to the south and 14th Street to the north.