Source: Robert Francis
A few months ago, Time Magazine reported that Little Italy is disappearing as Chinatown spreads from the south, Soho pushes from the west, and NoLiTa (North of Little Italy) becomes part of the NYC vernacular. A fifteen-minute walk in the neighborhood will prove Time’s point: Chinese storefronts crossed Grand Street years ago, and the Museum of Chinese in America on Centre north of Hester gives a permanent focal point for Chinese-Americans in an area that cannot easily be divided.
Even if Little Italy is little, it’s not going to disappear anytime soon. Lombardi’s Pizza on Mott and Spring is the oldest pizzeria in America and home of the greatest pizza on Earth; you can enjoy the taste of tradition in their fresh, hot pies from one of their outdoor tables overlooking the beautiful old-world style of the neighborhood. After dinner, street vendors offer delicious traditional cannolis for less than a dollar a piece. Dozens of Italian cafes, restaurants, and bakeries are still in the area, and they won’t be disappearing anytime soon. Even if storefronts from other neighborhoods are coming closer to Little Italy, the area will also offer the best Italian food in the city.
There’s no reason to lament the shrinking of Little Italy. This is the Manhattan Dream, after all: migrants from ancient civilizations bring the best of their cultures to NYC and make it livelier, richer, and more fascinating. The fact that Chinese and Italian immigrants are sharing streets and storefronts is what makes New York City the best city on Earth.
You can enjoy the rich diversity of the area by moving into one of the new condominium developments in the area. However, there are few buildings and enormous demand, so buyers need to act fast to get a slice of this very desirable area!
If you want to see this China/Italy fusion, try touring one of these buildings:
* The Grand Machinery Exchange on Hester Street is a beautiful conversion with a gorgeous brick facade on the outside and ultra-modern design on the inside.
* The Police Building is just two blocks from the many Italian restaurants and cafes of the area–close enough for a short walk, but far enough to keep the noise away. The renovation of this pre-war Baroque masterpiece combines the traditional masonry with sleek modern fixtures, black accents throughout, and gorgeous stainless-steel kitchens.
*123 Baxter is one of the only recent developments in this dense area that offers a completely modern living experience in this fascinating and diverse neighborhood. This building is an absolute must-see!
Visit our NY CondoDomain website for more information on how you can buy a unit in one of these amazing buildings!
