Quaint Encounters

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 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.

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.

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.

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