A Manhattan Oasis: Battery Park City

Battery Park City is located in lower Manhattan, New York City, just west of the former World Trade Center site (Ground Zero), Wall Street, and Battery Park itself. Twenty-five years ago this area was non-existent. In the early 1980's, the only thing west of the World Trade Center and the West Side Highway (now West Street) were broken down piers. Then, in the mid-1980's, a developer had a dream, driven by the need for more residential and business space. The old piers were destroyed, and on the landfill, a beautiful residential complex, and business complex called the World Financial Center were born. This area was then named Battery Park City. While new development is still taking place in the general area, the area has much to offer to the visitor, resident or business person. The area was dealt a severe blow on September 11, 2001, but the cleaning and rebuilding efforts have made it once again a beautiful area of Manhattan. Following is a brief overview of the business and residential sectors of Battery Park City.

The World Financial Center

The World Financial Center (WFC) was the first business complex to rise in the Battery Park City area. While there are several buildings that comprise the complex, it consisted originally of three buildings connected by pedestrian overpasses to the World Trade Center. Today, there are temporary overpasses on busy West Street. The highlight of the complex is the Winter Garden, a beautiful building connecting the North and South Towers of the World Financial Center. Surrounded by windows on both the West Street side and Hudson River side, it has at least 15 large palm trees that reach up to a windowed ceiling. There are about 50 marble stairs that lead you down to the bottom of the marbled winter garden floor, and you can relax on the many benches near the trees. Surrounding the trees are upscale shops, and the corridors that lead away from the palm trees to the north and south buildings have great eateries including Johhny's Fish Grill, Au Mandarin, and several other, more casual lunch venues.

On the second level of the Winter Garden there is a great seafood and steak restaurant called The Grill Room. From the Grill Room, you will have stunning views of the Hudson River. There are more shops on the second level of the Winter Garden, and on this level are entrances to the major financial services companies such as Merrill Lynch, American Express and others that have office space in the complex. Also on the second level, you can view the rebuilding at Ground Zero through the massive window facing West Street. The Winter Garden was pretty much destroyed on September 11, 2001, as the World Trade Center Towers collapsed right into the complex. When you visit it today, you would never know what transpired there until you look out of the West Street windows and view Ground Zero.

The World Financial Center is also host to numerous events throughout the year. Check the World Financial Center website for a complete list of events by season. The Winter Garden has a wonderful display of lights during the Christmas season. Usually on the Monday after Thanksgiving, there is a lighting ceremony including music and entertainment. The additional trees and lighting added during this season make the Winter Garden particularly magical.

Battery Park City Residential Buildings and Park

The business district within Battery Park City brought business men and women and young couples to this area in droves. The apartment complexes within Battery Park City were then built to accommodate these new families. The buildings are surrounded by beautiful parks and park-like areas that many families with children frequent, as well as business people during lunchtime. The buildings overlook New York Harbor and there is a beautiful esplanade for walking and biking. On the southern-most part of Battery Park City, a Ritz Carlton Hotel was built within the last few years, and more building is taking place in the area. Battery Park City has it's own shopping area, restaurants, and church, so that families do not have to cross West Street to buy groceries or take care of other daily needs. Young couples who live there state that it is a wonderful place to live and raise children. Although many residents left the area after September 11, 2001, special real estate offers lured a new group of people into the area and it is now full once again. On the northern side of the World Financial Center, beyond the Embassy Suites Hotel, more building is taking place, and this area also includes an upscale senior residence.

I worked in the World Financial Center for 15 years, and it was a wonderful place to work , to dine and to just walk around. If you visit New York, it is someplace special to see.