Hell’s Kitchen, New York City: Neighborhood Guide
Once a neighborhood where few New Yorkers wished to reside, today Hell’s Kitchen has become a desirable residential neighborhood, offering residents rich culture, stylish restaurants, and convenient location.
Also known as Clinton, the neighborhood is located on the West Side of Midtown Manhattan, stretching from Eighth Avenue to the Hudson River and from 34th to 59th Streets. Two major transportation hubs are located on the neighborhood borders: Penn Station at the 34th street and the Port Authority Bus Terminal at the 42nd Street. They provide convenient transit to DC, Boston, Philadelphia, and other cities. Some well-known entertainment, recreation, and business centers are in the neighborhood or on its borders, including Central Park, the Times Square, the Time Warner Center and the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Convenience makes the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood a great location for adults with busy lifestyles.
Pricing
The area has been gentrifying in recent years. New apartment buildings are rising, and older ones are being renovated. The massive Hudson Yards development and the High Line extension have stimulated growth. Prices have gone up, but are still generally lower compared to downtown or uptown. You can still find a good deal in Hell’s Kitchen.
Community
The population of Hell’s Kitchen represents a community of long-time residents, artists, and professionals. Due to its proximity to Broadway theaters and the Actors Studio, for many years the area has been a home for popular actors and artists. In recent years, Hell’s Kitchen has become an attractive location for young professionals and first-time home buyers.
“We can see a growing population of young professionals in Hell’s Kitchen,” says Lena Simpson, real estate broker and the neighborhood specialist who has closed over twenty successful transactions in the area. “The neighborhood offers different options to match the needs and expectations. Mostly you will find homes in walk-ups, townhouses or brownstones. Also, a few high-rise buildings are rising for those who look for luxury in more affordable neighborhoods. Many residents find Hell’s Kitchen to be a great place to settle down.”
To keep pace with areas growing popularity new childcare centers have been opened. Bright Minds Center, a kids-centric dual-language center located in the Financial District, recently has opened a new location in Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. The new, 8,995 sq. ft. space has a private access and a private outdoor play area. The center is “committed to provide quality education to children, age 2 to 5, using the finest traditions of European educations”. The center welcomes anyone “who is interested in preserving their heritage, adding a new cultural experience or simply getting the best quality education for their children”. The enrichment program includes drama, dance and art classes conducted in Russian. Math classes are conducted in English. Enrollment for the new digital science program, where kids can learn about robots, math, and coding, is starting soon.
Restaurants and Entertainment
Hell’s Kitchen is getting a reputation as a popular dining neighborhood. On Ninth Avenue, you will find rows of ethnic restaurants across a variety of cuisines.
Amy’s bread, one of NYC’s best bakeries, is located at 672 9th Avenue. This bakery is the place to go for local handmade artisanal bread, cookies, pastries and cakes.
For those who prefer a beautiful intimate setting, Blue & Seafood Bar, located at 856 9th Ave, offers fine Mediterranean seafood and tapas, craft beers, cocktails, and wines.
Art and Décor
Several new arts centers have joined older ones in recent years. One of them is the Baryshnikov Arts Center located at 450 West 37th Street. BAC was opened in 2005 by Mikhail Baryshnikov, one of the greatest dancers of the 20th century. The center provides a gathering place, studio time and technical support to artists from all over the world. Annually, BAC hosts up to twenty artists on site “to develop ideas, projects, and collaboration”.
A variety of artwork is presented in local shops and galleries. The owners of the local décor shop Domus, Luisa and Nicki, travel the globe in search of hand-crafted goods. The store, located at 413 W 44th Street, opened its doors in 2002. “Embracing difference, seeking out the unusual, and excited by different cultures, we travel the world in search of hand-crafted goods that show the individual mark of the artisans who made them,” says Luisa. “We are proud of the relationships we have built and maintained, of the distance we go to find unusual products, and also of paying what the artisans ask rather than imposing a low wage which would devalue their work.”
Hell’s Kitchen has come a long way from its gritty and dangerous history. New developments and businesses are rising throughout the neighborhood, and a new wave of residential projects is transforming the area. Upon completion of Hudson Yards, the West Side of Midtown Manhattan is expected to be the city’s newest hub.
Originally posted on LenaSimpson.com