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Academia rules. Or at least it has a huge effect on the dynamics of Morningside Heights. Home to Columbia University, Barnard College, The Jewish Theological Seminary, Manhattan School of Music and Teachers College the area has a large student and academic population. But scholarly folk aren’t the only ones walking the streets. The area bounded to the North by 125th Street, Morningside Park to the East, 110th Street to the South and the Hudson River to the West is also culturally rich and home to non-affiliated Latinos and Blacks.
Formerly farmland, the area was first developed with the creation of Riverside Drive and its accompanying park. Morningside Heights, however, didn’t really get swinging until construction of St. John the Divine, Teachers College and Columbia University started near the turn of the Twentieth Century. Grant’s Tomb and St. Luke’s Hospital were also going up around that same time. Sparing no expense on the architects, Columbia University ripped down Bloomingdale Asylum and hired McKim, Mead and White to design the school’s new campus. Riverside Church’s observation deck is a great place to spot all of the neighborhood landmarks and take in the other Upper Manhattan views.
Housing is difficult to find up here. Consisting mostly of prewar apartment buildings there are also some brownstones along tree lined streets near Riverside Park. Columbia University owns a significant percentage of the neighborhood’s rentals and much of it is allocated to students and affiliates. If you are interested in living in the area check bulletin boards at local schools for apartment availabilities. Few openings will appear in the paper.
Riverside Park is loved by all. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same guy who designed Central Park (along with Calvert Vaux) this wooded piece of land stands high above the Hudson and provides exercise enthusiasts with paved paths to walk, jog or rollerblade on. Just don’t go there at night, especially if you are a woman. Past incidents have proved midnight runs unwise. Morningside Park is another public space which lies in the shadow of St. John the Divine. Not a favorite amongst students in the area, many avoid the space all together. Reason: Rumors of muggings. For those just wanting to let the kids run in the grass or read a book on the lawn, Columbia’s campus is ideal. It’s good for people watching too.
Broadway is Morningside’s main drag, the source of all sorts of college like stores and boutiques. Surprisingly enough, the area is lacking really good bookstores. Restaurants also come with so-so reviews but Samad Deli is said to be a good source for Middle Eastern Food, Columbia Bagels challenges Zagats best NYC bagel award and Westside Market seems to be a favorite for those cooking at home. One huge bonus about living close to so many schools is the wealth of affordable entertainment and educational options available to locals. Theater productions, music concerts and student film debuts all happen in a variety of venues from area churches to university lecture rooms. Area jazz clubs also keep locals from having to schlep to the village in search of good music.
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Metropolis Real Estate of Manhattan | 167 Lexington Avenue Suite 100 | New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212.696.1900, Fax: 212.696.0220 | Email: info@metropolisre.com
Our Connecticut Branch:
1200 Summer Street, Suite 105, Stamford, CT 06905
Tel: 203.653.1406, Fax:203.653.7219
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