Named after its signature landmark, the Flatiron Building, the Flatiron District is wedged between Lower and Midtown Manhattan. Within its boundaries — Sixth Avenue, 28th Street, Park Avenue, and 14th Street — is a wealth of historic and elegant architecture, and as a result it is a much sought-after neighborhood in Manhattan. Add to that subway lines underneath Sixth Avenue, Broadway, Park Avenue, and 14th Street, and it is also very well-connected to the rest of New York City.
Until recently, the Flatiron District did not have any designation in particular. In the shadow of the Financial District and Midtown Manhattan, it was mostly residential in nature, with shopping on major avenues and streets, but still quiet overall. The completion of the Flatiron Building in 1902 is one of the area’s most important achievements, ushering in the skyscraper age that pushed New York City into the new century. It is now mostly built-out, a center for high-end retail and luxury living. Although a busy and important neighborhood in its own right, the Flatiron District is less-trafficked than its neighbors to the north and south. To that end, its land uses lean far more towards residential development than other parts of Manhattan. Many of its streets contain blocks of apartment buildings with small, locally-owned businesses scattered throughout. It is in many ways the quintessential New York City neighborhood and its image often represents the city as a whole. As a result, there is always demand for the Flatiron District, and its residents are quite proud off their prized neighborhood.