If you are on the hunt for iconic sculptures in the city, we have one more for you to add in your list. When you are in Astor Place, you definitely won’t miss the Astor Place “cube”. The cube was formally known as Alamo, and it has been grounded in place since 1967. It was initially installed as a temporary public art installation.
The 15-foot, 1,800-pound steel cube was created by sculptor Tony Rosenthal. He also petitioned for it to be made a permanent part of the neighborhood. The cube made the neighborhood its permanent home, and it acts as a marker, a popular meeting point.
Born and raised in New York City, the 26th U.S. president, Theodore Roosevelt, resided in a building close to our apartments until the age of 14 when he moved uptown with his well to do family. While the original building was demolished in 1916, the Women’s Roosevelt Memorial Association bought over the building in 1919 after Roosevelt’s death, and rebuilt the townhouse.
Today, the reconstructed birthplace of Roosevelt is managed by the U.S. Park Service, and has been designated as a historic site. In the adjoining lot, a museum and galleries have taken the place of where Roosevelt’s uncle’s house once stood. From Wednesday through Sunday, the museum is open to the public for guided tours.
So, if you’re a history fanatic, or even remotely curious about the birthplace of the 26th president, head over to learn more. Don’t forget to snap loads of photos of the exterior and interior to share your memorable trip here with your friends and family!
Located on the south end of Union Square, this humongous art installation is definitely attention grabbing. Known as one of the world’s most unusual public clocks, it features 15 numbers, the 7 numbers on the left display a conventional 24-hour clock as hours, minutes, seconds, and tenths of a second, while the 7 numbers on the right display the time remaining in the 24-hour day as tenths of a second, seconds, minutes, and hours. The single digit in the middle represents a hundredth of a second.
Let’s see if you can figure this string of numbers! | Photo courtesy of MusikAnimal.
Designed by Kristen Jones and Andrew Ginzel, this artwork was constructed in 1999, and cost almost $3 million. This art wall aims to explore the relationship between the city and time, calling viewers to ponder how the city is in a constant state of change, just as how the clock is.
In September 2020, a new digital clock was unveiled by artists Gan Golan and Andrew Boyd. Known as the Climate Clock, it warns humans that if we do not take action fast enough, this is the amount of time we have left before an irreversible climate crisis takes place. The digits on the clock counts down to the number of years (1 digit), days (3 digits), hours (2 digits), minutes (2 digits), and seconds (2 digits) remaining.
The clock continues to count down as you are reading this. | Photo courtesy of Climate Clock.
Head over to the metronome to see for yourself how much time we have left to save the world!
Craving some late night dim sum or traditional Chinese food, or simply want a quick, satisfying lunch? Dim Sum Palace is our go to place, as their wide selection of food makes sure that everyone will have their cravings satisfied. From beef chow fun, to soup dumplings and barbeque pork buns, you’ll want an order of everything on the menu!
With their first location opened in Midtown West in 2016, this family owned restaurant has grown to 4 locations within the city today. At a reasonable price, the good food and amazing service will leave you satisfied and over the moon. If you’re craving a late night snack, head over to this restaurant and order their incredibly delicious pork buns that are pillowy and well stuffed with bbq pork chunks. If you’re in the mood for something more filling, we recommend the young chow fried rice, as its flavorful taste will keep you wanting more.
mmend the young chow fried rice, as its flavorful taste will keep you wanting more.
While the wide selection of items on the menu can be slightly overwhelming, feel free to approach any of the staff to ask for recommendations, and they will be more than happy to assist you.
Whether you’re looking to cool down with some ice cream in the summer, or longing for a sweet treat in the winter, Van Leeuwen has got you covered. From classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate to more unique flavors like earl grey tea and honeycomb, this ice cream parlor not only has dairy rich ice cream, but also offers vegan and gluten free options.
Started in 2008 as a truck in the streets of NYC by Laura O’Neill and the VanLeeuwen brothers, Ben and Pete, they have since grown to 18 locations in New York. Started with the goal of making ice cream using simple ingredients, they aimed to satisfy the cravings of both omnivores and vegans alike.
If you’re not in the mood for a classic scoop of ice cream in a cup, this artisanal ice cream parlor also sells sundaes, milkshakes, and ice cream sandwiches! Try your creamy scoop of ice cream with one of their signature waffle cones, or topped with hot fudge, or peanut brittle dust. So stop in and enjoy a scoop of their smooth and thick ice cream!
Started in 1888, this family owned deli has since become a part of New York City’s culture and history. The deli’s slogan “Send a Salami To Your Boy In the Army” came about when the three sons of the owners were serving in the military and were sent food as a family tradition. Passed from one generation to the next, Katz deli has gone from a place where the neighborhood gathered on Fridays, to a deli serving sandwiches to tourists flocking in from all parts of the world.
Most famously known for its pastrami sandwiches, among other food items on their extensive menu, Katz is sure to be a meat lover’s paradise. The deli cures their beef over a period of 30 days, to ensure a high quality of meat. In addition to the must try mouth watering pastrami sandwich, they also offer plump, powdered sugar crepes generously stuffed with cheese, juicy hot dogs, and many other items that are sure to satisfy your cravings.
Katz has had many appearances on films and television shows, including an appearance in the 1989 romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally”. So if you’re feeling carnivorous and want an insta worthy photo with a huge sandwich from the best deli in the city, head down to Katz!
Hidden just off of Rivington Street between Bowery and Chrystie Street, this dead end alley is home to numerous pieces of street art. Easily missed by many, this alley not only contains aesthetically pleasing pieces like one of the many lovewalls done by James Goldcrown in the city, but also houses an incredibly cozy restaurant at the end of the alley named Freemans. Started by restaurateurs Taavo Somer and William Tigertt, the restaurant’s bright blue door welcomes customers, as the dim lighting and vintage interior decoration gives you an incredibly homey feeling. On the corner of Freeman and Rivington is an entrepreneurship called Freeman’s Sporting Club that ironically does not sell any sporting goods. Instead, this shop functions as both a barber shop and a clothing store.
Before Freemans was established, the building was used as a halfway house, and the alley was completely bricked in with just a small door. Sitting in the alley were numerous garbage pieces like hypodermic needles, leaves, and an old beat up car. In addition, the owners had to constantly chase junkies away from the alley, before they could successfully attract customers to the alley.
If you’re looking to admire exquisite pieces of street art, or take some photos with a unique backdrop for the ‘gram, this is definitely the spot for you! In addition, if you do plan on dining at the taxidermy filled Freemans, be sure to make a reservation, because it can get crowded quickly.
Trying to make a home cooked meal in our apartments using fresh ingredients? Head over to the Union Square Greenmarket which is open year round on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8am to 6pm to get anything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to meats, award winning cheeses, freshly baked bread, jams and wines from New York and New Jersey.
Photo courtesy of Union Square Greenmarket (@UnionSquareGreenmarket)
Photo courtesy of Union Square Greenmarket (@UnionSquareGreenmarket)
Founded in 1976, Greenmarket aimed to promote regional agriculture by giving small family farms a space to sell their locally grown goods directly to consumers, and to ensure that New Yorkers had easy access to the fresh and nutritious locally grown ingredients. From the few farmers participating in selling their produce in 1976, the market has grown to accommodate over 140 regional farmers, fishers, and bakers in selling their products.
Photo courtesy of Union Square Greenmarket (@UnionSquareGreenmarket)
Even if you do not decide to make any purchases, we recommend taking a stroll along the market, listening to your favorite playlist or podcast, while trying some of the free samples vendors have to offer. If you’re looking for the best possible selection, arrive at the market earlier, or arrive later to catch some of the end of the day bargains.
Gardening can be therapeutic for those who are really into plants. Fret not, for those of you who are embarking on a new journey, or if you really just love nature, we have the place just for you.
Le Petit Garden is a space where you can have a relaxing eco-experience in the bustling city. Founded by Rebecca, Le Petit Garden organizes one-of-a-kind, DIY workshops that inspire people to grow together through plants.
Their workshops will guide you on how to create your own potting mix. | Photo courtesy of @lepetitgarden.co
The workshop is as simple as choosing a planter and a houseplant, making your own potting mix, and voila! People of all ages and skills are welcomed to join their workshops. You can also buy your own DIY kits if you are looking to grow your plant collection at home – they even have a Disney collection for our Disney fans!
Here’s one of the many DIY kits they have for you to start your journey at home. | Photo courtesy of @lepetitgarden.co
Apart from participating in their workshops, Le Petit Garden also allows you organize special events and occasions in their space – just drop them a call or email and they’ll be happy to give you more information.
Don’t forget to tag us during your eco-experience!
East Village was commonly associated with counterculture, art and the punk movement in the 70s. This very association gave rise to American punk rock, and also became humble abodes of bohemian filmmakers and artists. Some of the more prominent figures that you may be familiar with are Madonna, Lou Reed, and Andy Warhol.
“The more you look at the same exact thing, the more the meaning goes away, and the better and emptier you feel.” – Andy Warhol. | Photo courtesy of MoMA.
The neighborhood has undergone multiple changes and redevelopment over the years. Despite so, prominent historical buildings in the neighborhood were not not compromised, and were instead designated as individual landmarks – thanks to local community groups like the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.
An interesting fact about East Village is that this eclectic neighborhood used to be a farm owned by then Dutch Governor, Peter Stuyvesant. The area we now know as St. Marks Place was once the center of a 19th century outpost known as Bowery Village.
This illustration shows Union Square, where the Bowery (now 4th Avenue) & Broadway meet. | Photo courtesy of Ephemeral New York.
The village used to be a struggling farming community, sparsely settled with only a few houses, blacksmith, wagon shop and stands, general store, tavern and a church. A piece of the 18th century still stands strong in East Village today – the St. Mark’s Church.
You can still find the church in its original location on 2nd Avenue and 10th Street. The church was consecrated in 1799. | Photo courtesy of NYC-ARTS.
What makes East Village a unique neighborhood is its capacity to continue holding diverse cultures through these changes. Today, one can find plenty of dining and lifestyle options, as well as community gardens in the district.
Scroll down to discover what in-house favorites tickle your fancy.
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