Blog: Life on the Lower East Side

June 2, 2017

Dreamers and doers have been drawn to Manhattan’s Lower East Side for hundreds of years. Today it’s been called “the last frontier of cool” and is known for its forward-thinking creative class, who increasingly seek new luxury condominiums like 242 Broome Street.

A section of town that was home to everyone from Emma Goldman to Basquiat is now frequented by well-heeled residents with high-end sensibilities—and an appreciation of the realness and grit NYC is known for. Newcomers and lifers relish the area’s “small town within a big city” vibe where old-school tenements blend with brand-new architectural surprises.

Old mixing with new is the visual calling card of the LES, but it’s no different in the area’s vibrant food scene. Iconic establishments like Katz’s Delicatessen, quite possibly the best place in the city to get a pastrami on rye, is right down the street from of-the-moment spots like Dirt Candy, where Chef Amanda Cohen consistently wows diners with an all-vegetable menu. And the new Essex Crossing market space set to open soon is bound to bring an even more eclectic array of treats from around the city and the world.

Whether vegetarian or carnivore, revelers are wise to fuel up before heading out and indulging in dance clubs and bars like Hotel Chantelle or the Slipper Room that also add to the area’s festive yet refined reputation.

And it wouldn’t be the Lower East Side without music. After all, this is where Madonna and Lady Gaga got their start. Those with a penchant for cutting-edge live performances can immerse in an array of musical styles, genres, and venues, ranging from a klezmer band at Abrons Arts Center to Beth Ditto at the Bowery Ballroom or underground phenoms at Arlene’s Grocery and Pianos.

After a night on the town, nothing beats waking up at 242 Broome, taking in the sunrise as part of the panoramic view, and grabbing a cup of custom-roasted Guatemala Huehuetenango coffee from nearby Roasting Plant. Mornings are also the perfect time to take a stroll and take in some greenery.

Of course, the Lower East Side doesn’t do anything routinely, exemplified by the fusion of nature and art at the First Street Garden. Sara D. Roosevelt Park caters to sportier residents of the neighborhood with lively basketball courts and a turf soccer field. Soon, your morning ritual might even include a walk through the world’s first underground park, replete with natural, albeit piped-in, light via the Lowline.

This playful and experimental style of thinking permeates every bit of the Lower East Side, and that’s why it’s one of the most beloved parts of the city. At 242 Broome Street, residents will be able to experience this ever-evolving, always-quirky neighborhood at its very best and enjoy a lifestyle that is the envy of urban dwellers around the world.

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