July 11, 2012
Where is NoMad New York?
NoMad New York might be a new area to many, but in truth it has always been here. At the turn of the 19th/20th Centuries, the area was the nexus of upper class New York and the rough and tumble Tenderloin District. At that time, the area was the bustling cultural epicenter of New York life. It was home to the best families, world-class theatre, the finest restaurants and internationally renowned hotels. The likes of Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, George M. Cohan, PT Barnum, Diamond Jim Brady and Thomas Edison could be found walking its streets along with presidents, famous generals and foreign dignitaries.
Running roughly from Sixth to Lexington Avenues, from 23rd to 30th Streets, the area we now know as the NoMad District went by many titles in the past, but no one neighborhood label was fitting to the unique quality of the area.
Calling this large area simply Chelsea, Madison Park, Flatiron or Gramercy is missing the point. The identity of the area is completely unique, deserving its own title. Although it encompasses at least small parts of all of its neighboring areas, it is not like any of them. It captures the same edgy/upscale mix that made it famous at the turn of the 19th/20th Centuries, and as a 24/7 working and living community it has a round-the-clock energy not matched in nearby areas.
In recent years, the NoMad District has seen an amazing rebirth and return to its past glory with:
- Trendy hotels like the Ace, NoMad Hotel, Hotel Giraffe and Gansevoort Park Avenue have opened;
- Fine restaurants, such as The Breslin, The Nomad, Bread & Tulips, Byblos and SD26, are being introduced every day;
- New high-net worth residential developments are being built, such as 250 Fifth Avenue, 15 Madison Square North, Sky House and 1107 Broadway, as well as the numerous new buildings along Sixth Avenue;
- Exciting retail venues are offering a wide range of fashionable items, including Marimekko, Maison Kitsune, Eataly and Opening Ceremony;
- Upscale nightlife is everywhere, from rooftop gardens to hotel bars and nightclubs, such as Jazz Standard, Tavern29 and 40/40.
- Madison Square Park, was completed renovated and reopened in 2001 — it is kept beautifully landscaped and full of exciting activities from art exhibits to children programs, food festivals, music events and sports contests; and
- Technology and design firms have been flocking to the neighborhood, making it one of the key neighborhoods in Silicon Alley.
- The convergence of so much activity is once again making NoMad an important crossroads of the New York City, filled with creative people, tech minds, entrepreneurs, socialites, notables and everyday people looking for benefits of city life at its vibrant best.