Downtown Manhattan
Downtown Manhattan, the historic heart of New York City, is a vibrant and diverse neighborhood that encompasses a rich tapestry of culture, commerce, and history. Spanning from the southern tip of the island to roughly 14th Street, this area is home to iconic landmarks, bustling streets, and a mix of residential and commercial spaces.
The Financial District, located at the southern tip of Manhattan, is the epicenter of global finance, with Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange drawing financial professionals from around the world. This district is also home to historic sites such as Trinity Church and Federal Hall, which played pivotal roles in American history.
Moving north, you'll find the revitalized South Street Seaport, a waterfront area with restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. It's a great place to enjoy fresh seafood, stroll along the East River, and visit the South Street Seaport Museum.
Tribeca, which stands for "Triangle Below Canal Street," is known for its cobblestone streets and a mix of loft-style apartments and high-end dining. It's a hub for the arts, with many galleries and the renowned Tribeca Film Festival.
Greenwich Village, with its tree-lined streets and historic brownstones, offers a bohemian atmosphere. The neighborhood is famous for its role in the Beat Generation and folk music scenes, and it's home to Washington Square Park, NYU, and numerous restaurants and bars.
Heading east, the Lower East Side is known for its rich immigrant history and vibrant nightlife. You can explore the Tenement Museum and indulge in a wide array of culinary experiences.
Overall, downtown Manhattan is a dynamic neighborhood with a diverse population, making it a place where the old and new seamlessly blend, and history and modernity coexist.
Image Credits Photo by Andre Benz on Unsplash , Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Neighborhood Snapshot
Transit Score:
89/100
Walk Score:
88/100
Bike Score:
69/100
Commute Times
to Penn Station
16.5 min
22 min
to Grand Central Terminal
21.6 min
20.7 min
to Columbus Cir
12.1 min
11.2 min
to Financial District
34.5 min
29.4 min
to Union Square
25.1 min
28.1 min
to Downtown Brooklyn
45.4 min
30.2 min
to Long Island City
31.7 min
25.6 min
Buildings Fun Facts
Oldest Building in Downtown Manhattan
Built in 1792
273 WATER STREET
Cheapest Building in Downtown Manhattan (sold, p/sqft)
$2
60 EAST 8 STREET
Most Expensive Building in Downtown Manhattan (sold, p/sqft)
$28,433
205 3 AVENUE
Biggest Building in Downtown Manhattan (total FAR)
8,367,942 ft
240 1 AVENUE
Subway Lines
Popular Searches in Downtown Manhattan
New Developments
Popular Buildings
History of Neighborhood
The earliest history of the area begins with the arrival of Dutch settlers in the 17th century. In 1626, Peter Minuit purchased the island of Manhattan from the Lenape Native Americans, establishing New Amsterdam, which would later become New York City. The Dutch influence is still evident in place names like Wall Street, named after a protective wall built to defend the settlement.
In the late 18th century, the area around Wall Street became the financial center of the newly formed United States. In 1792, the Buttonwood Agreement was signed under a buttonwood tree on Wall Street, marking the birth of the New York Stock Exchange.
During the 19th century, the neighborhood continued to evolve, with immigration waves bringing a diverse mix of cultures to areas like the Lower East Side. This period saw the construction of iconic structures like the Brooklyn Bridge.
The 20th century witnessed significant events such as the construction of the World Trade Center, which later became tragically linked to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
In recent years, downtown Manhattan has experienced a resurgence, with many historic buildings repurposed as luxury apartments and the area becoming a thriving cultural hub.
Today, downtown Manhattan's rich history is reflected in its architecture, institutions, and the diverse blend of cultures that coexist in this dynamic neighborhood. It remains a symbol of New York City's enduring spirit and its role in shaping the nation's history.
Architectural Style
Landmarks and Cultural Institutions
Landmarks and Cultural Institutions Image Credits William Warby, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons , Carol M. Highsmith, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons , Kidfly182, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons , ThibautRe, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons , Mario Antonio Pena Zapatería from San Sebastian, Spain, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons , Kidfly182, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons , Shelley Panzarella, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons , Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Entertainment
Entertainment Image Credits Theatrical Artwork by Laura Fiorucci. Picture by Wilfredor, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons , Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons , Teylers Museum, Haarlem, the Netherlands, CC BY-SA 3.0 NL , via Wikimedia Commons , (vincent desjardins) from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Popular Restaurants
Restaurants Image Credits https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Joe%27s_Pizza_2022_jeh.jpg , City Foodsters, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons , Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Famous people connected to Downtown Manhattan
People Image Credits John Trumbull, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons , Gilbert Stuart, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons , New-York Historical Society, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons , JohnPierpontMorgan.jpgderivative work: Beao, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons , idrewuk, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons , Presidencia de la República Mexicana, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons , Eric Garcetti, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons , Cosmopolitan UK, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Movies
Wall Street
The French Connection
Friends
Godzilla (1998)
Cloverfield
I Am Legend
Movies Image Credits Dam0812, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons , 20th Century Fox (now part of Walt Disney Pictures), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons , TimeMachine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons , TriStar Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons , M622, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons , IgorCalzone1, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Statistics for Downtown Manhattan
| Date | Unit | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 11/19/2025 | 525 Sixth Avenue 10A | Listed for sale at $6,500,000 |
| 11/19/2025 | 525 Sixth Avenue 4E | Listed for sale at $1,425,000 |
| 11/19/2025 | 280 Park Avenue South 12L | Listed for sale at $1,325,000 |
| 11/19/2025 | 302 West 12th Street 6D | Listed for sale at $2,395,000 |
| 11/19/2025 | 450 West 17th Street 1009 | Listed for sale at $820,000 |
| 11/19/2025 | 525 Sixth Avenue 8E | Listed for sale at $1,600,000 |
| 11/19/2025 | 525 Sixth Avenue 8C | Listed for sale at $2,150,000 |
| 11/19/2025 | 525 Sixth Avenue 5F | Listed for sale at $4,150,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 90 William Street 8C | Listed for sale at $1,225,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 101 Warren Street 1450 | Listed for sale at $4,375,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 90 Gold Street 21G | Listed for sale at $545,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 555 West 22nd Street PH23 | Listed for sale at $44,950,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 260 West 10th Street 2E | Listed for sale at $969,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 20 River Terrace 14D | Listed for sale at $995,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 20 River Terrace 20C | Listed for sale at $1,007,250 |
| 11/18/2025 | 400 Park Avenue South 26C | Listed for sale at $4,795,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 77 Greenwich Street 35B | Listed for sale at $2,999,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 66 Leonard Street 10C | Listed for sale at $5,350,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 50 Henry Street PHB | Listed for sale at $999,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 7 Lexington Avenue 1H | Listed for sale at $795,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 70 Charlton Street 12F | Listed for sale at $2,750,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 525 Sixth Avenue 5D | Listed for sale at $1,700,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 77 Greenwich Street 32A | Listed for sale at $3,750,000 |
| 11/18/2025 | 55 Wall Street 632 | Listed for sale at $685,000 |
| 11/17/2025 | 1 Park Row PH | Listed for sale at $14,995,000 |
| 11/17/2025 | 60 West 13th Street 7F | Listed for sale at $1,795,000 |
| 10/28/2025 | 74 Grand Street 4 | Sold for $5,046,823 |
| 10/28/2025 | 77 CHARLTON STREET N12B | Sold for $4,200,000 |
| 10/28/2025 | 60 Gramercy Park North 3A | Sold for $2,790,000 |
| 10/24/2025 | 20 West Street 4H | Sold for $415,000 |
| 10/24/2025 | 286 Spring Street 4 | Sold for $4,400,000 |
| 10/24/2025 | 70 Little West Street 27A | Sold for $2,775,000 |
| 10/23/2025 | 15 Broad Street 2414 | Sold for $1,130,000 |
| 10/23/2025 | 201 East 17th Street 16F | Sold for $891,848 |
| 10/23/2025 | 100 West 15th Street 5E | Sold for $435,000 |
| 10/23/2025 | 15 Broad Street 2416 | Sold for $1,475,000 |
| 10/23/2025 | 51 Fifth Avenue 2BF | Sold for $3,165,000 |
| 10/23/2025 | 30 Bond Street 6 | Sold for $3,300,000 |
| 10/22/2025 | 450 Washington Street 705 | Sold for $2,370,000 |
| 10/22/2025 | 83 Thompson Street 2E | Sold for $4,325,000 |
| 10/22/2025 | 333 Pearl Street 16K | Sold for $990,000 |
| 10/22/2025 | 138 West 10th Street 2FW | Sold for $700,000 |
| 10/22/2025 | 227 EAST 11TH STREET | Sold for $6,250,000 |
| 10/21/2025 | 3 Hanover Square 21C | Sold for $715,000 |
| 10/21/2025 | 14 Bank Street | Sold for $7,750,000 |
| 10/21/2025 | 542 BROADWAY RETAI | Sold for $22,500,000 |
| 10/20/2025 | 125 Greenwich Street 61E | Sold for $970,000 |
| 10/20/2025 | 201 East 17th Street 32A | Sold for $993,800 |
| 10/20/2025 | 550 Grand Street G11D | Sold for $690,000 |
| 10/20/2025 | 324 Pearl Street 4E | Sold for $500,000 |
| 10/20/2025 | 181 HUDSON STREET 3F | Sold for $3,225,000 |
| 10/20/2025 | 242 East 7th Street 5 | Sold for $2,337,500 |
| 10/17/2025 | 85 Eighth Avenue 2E | Sold for $720,000 |
| 10/17/2025 | 470 Broome Street 4S | Sold for $4,825,000 |
| 10/17/2025 | 550 Grand Street J7G | Sold for $525,000 |
| 10/17/2025 | 428 West 19th Street 10B | Sold for $2,950,000 |
| 09/26/2025 | 74 Grand Street 5 | Listed for sale at $4,500,000 |
| 09/22/2025 | 123 Washington Street 30F | Listed for sale at $849,000 |
| 09/19/2025 | 260 Park Avenue South 9J | Listed for sale at $5,275,000 |
| 09/19/2025 | 260 Park Avenue South 9I | Listed for sale at $2,775,000 |
| 09/04/2025 | 330 Third Avenue 5B | Listed for sale at $750,000 |
| 01/22/2024 | 20 Pine Street 2205 | Listed for sale at $765,000 |
| 05/07/2021 | 105 Fifth Avenue 5E | Listed for sale at $2,395,000 |
| 01/27/2020 | 30 East 29th Street 21B | Listed for sale at $1,365,000 |
| 01/06/2020 | 50 United Nations Plaza 17B | Listed for sale at $8,395,000 |
| 10/03/2019 | 130 West 30th Street 16B | Listed for sale at $2,000,000 |
| 01/30/2018 | 57 Reade Street 9A | Listed for sale at $2,095,000 |
| 10/26/2017 | 360 West 21st Street 3G | Listed for sale at $799,000 |
| 05/17/2017 | 315 Seventh Avenue 6A | Listed for sale at $1,199,000 |
| 02/20/2015 | 2 South End Avenue 8S | Listed for sale at $560,000 |