Bound by Broadway, 6th Avenue, and 34th street in the heart of midtown, Herald Square is a small, yet iconic New York neighborhood. The neighborhood is perhaps best known as the former home of now-defunct newspaper the New York Herald (where the neighborhood gets its namesake) and as the headquarters of department store Macy’s.
History
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The area as it is known today was developed around the Macy’s location, which was erected in the late 19th century, as well as the former New York Herald building. After the New York Herald was acquired by the New York Tribune in 1924, the Macy’s department store became the primary feature of the neighborhood. From 1924 to 2009, the building was the largest department store in the world.
The 34th Street Partnership began restoring the area in 1992, and provides horticulture and landscape improvement, sanitary and security services, curates events for the area, and runs other programs that help improve and maintain the area.
Accessibility
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Herald Square is one of the most, if not the most, accessible neighborhoods in Manhattan. The neighborhood is served by the 34th Street Herald Square station and the nearby Penn Station, providing access to the 1, 2, 3, A, B, C, D, E, F, M, N, Q, R, and W lines, along with the Long Island Rail Road.
Lifestyle
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As the headquarters and flagship store of department store giant Macy’s, shopping is a big part of Herald Square’s lifestyle. The Macy’s building is 2.2 million square feet, offering 11 floors of retail shopping, and its the second largest department store in the entire world. It takes up an entire New York City block, if that helps frame the size of this place.
If you find yourself in town during November, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is quite the spectacle and its a NYC tradition every local and visitor alike should experience at least once. If shopping all day has you exhausted, take a break at the parks of Herald and Greeley Squares.
Restaurants
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While shopping and retail is definitely the prime attraction of the area, there are several delicious options for grabbing a quick bite between shopping excursions. Within the Macy’s store, there are several places if you want to utilize your shopping time for maximum efficiency, including the Herald Square Cafe and Tabo Noodles. If you’re looking for something a bit nicer so you can get off your feet for a bit, you could try Stella 34 Trattoria, Friedman’s, The Harold, or Au Bon Pain.
Cost
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As a hub for retail, commerce, and tourism, the residential options around Herald Square are limited. Due to its close proximity to the thriving business districts of midtown, apartments are on the expensive side and they fill fast; the median rental price ranges from $2,850 for studios to $5,995 for a 2-bedroom, and the average sales price of a 2-bedroom condo is $2,645,000.
Final Verdict
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Although the neighborhood is a tourist hotspot that’s always bustling with foot traffic, the neighborhood has its merits as a residential location. While expensive, it has several very nice buildings. From historic, traditional stone walk-ups, to new, luxury condos, the neighborhood is a definite possibility for those with a larger budget who value the neighborhood’s close proximity to midtown.
