In the mid-1990s, the Flatiron District was known for its commercial real estate. Offices, department stores, and big-box retailers dotted the avenues between Union Square and Madison Square Park.
Flatiron’s central location makes it a convenient neighborhood for commuting to other parts of the city. Union Square is a major hub for public transportation and other subways are within close walking distance. Flatiron acts as a passageway between downtown and midtown, which makes it easy to quickly get around the city on foot. You’ll also see a fair share of commuters on two wheels moving through the neighborhood as well.
By day, Flatiron is defined by the 9-to-5 hustle. The streets are packed with people on their way to work in one of the many office buildings in the neighborhood. Mornings and lunchtime are especially busy as professionals speed off to work or other early engagements. At the southern border of Flatiron is Union Square, which is a central hub of activity at all hours of the day. The world-famous Union Square Greenmarket is a favorite stop for both tourists and city dwellers alike looking for locally grown, healthy produce. Union Square is also known for the eclectic activities that go on from dusk to dawn, from yoga and chess games to music performances and holiday markets in the wintertime. Flatiron also has a growing reputation as a destination for great dining. Union Square is surrounded by some of the most popular restaurants in the city. Mainstays like Union Square Cafe are booked weeks in advance, but casual eateries and fun food trucks are popular for on-the-go-meals. The weekends in Flatiron are similarly busy. With plenty of open outdoor seating on Broadway especially, you’ll often spot people relaxing and taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling streets around them. Shopping is also a popular activity in the neighborhood, especially on Fifth Avenue, which houses modern stores like Anthropologie, Madewell, Free People, and Joe Fresh. By night the neighborhood quiets down, but is still a popular destination for a laid back bar scene. Lillie’s and Park Bar are popular with the cocktail-obsessed, and club-goers can dance all night at the W Hotel’s bar, Lilium.
Because Flatiron is predominantly a commercial neighborhood, there are fewer options for apartments than other places in the city. The neighborhood has a fair number of recently developed luxury buildings on Broadway, Park Avenue, and Fifth Avenue. They often come with all-inclusive gyms, rooftops, and doorman service, but also come with hefty price tags. There are also smaller doorman buildings that are sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. Walk-ups can be more affordable, but are sparse and hard to find.
The Pucker | Heinlein Team consults and services individual buyers, sellers, real estate investors and developers across the city and offers partnerships throughout the country to service clients’ real estate needs.