The Flatiron District
Running from Park to 6th avenue and up to 23rd street from 14th, the Flatiron district is now known for its advertising and publishing agencies, along with the title of “Silicon Alley”, due to the many computer/internet start-ups occupying the area. The name Flatiron is relatively new, from the mid 80’s when real estate brokers needed a name to call the area as they listed incoming residential and office space.
The history of the area starts back between the Civil War and World War I. At this time, the Flatiron district was known for its glamorous shopping and restaurants. After this period, as shopping moved uptown, the Flatiron district emptied out and was known for a while as the Photo district due to the many photographers’ studios in the area because of the cheap rent. Another part of the district was known as the Toy district because of all the toy manufacturers and the American International Toy Fair held there since 1903. Now the district is full of office space and newly residential units.
The Flatiron building, for which the district is named, is one of New York City’s oldest buildings, completed in 1902 and originally called the Fuller building. Next to the Flatiron building is the Met Tower built in 1909 and now occupied by Credit Suisse. The Flatiron district includes Union Square, which offers a beautiful park surrounded by stores and restaurants galore. Just north of Union Square is the birthplace of Theodore Roosevelt that is now a museum. There are many great restaurants to check out for more formal business lunches and on the go quick lunches.