MANHATTAN
Lincoln Square Neighborhood Guide
Lincoln Square is considered by many to be one of Manhattan’s most vibrant, bustling, and navigated neighborhoods. Rich with history and based in the Performing Arts epicenter of NYC, Lincoln Square is a world-renowned locale on the Upper West Side cradled between the Hudson River and Central Park. Iconic fountains and courtyards, majestic theaters, and mid-century design define this artistic alcove of Manhattan. The area’s also home to the famed Columbus Circle alongside Central Park’s southwest corner and encompasses a plethora of luxury shopping, eclectic eateries, and sidewalk cafés. Adjacent to the esteemed Lincoln Center and Juilliard School, Lincoln Square’s acclaimed venues include the New York Philharmonic, NYC Ballet, and Metropolitan Opera. One of New York’s most sought-after real estate havens, Lincoln Square neighborhood residents revel in this spirited slice of Manhattan illuminated by dance, theater, music, and film.
Lincoln Square Real Estate Stats
MEDIAN SALE PRICE
$2,285,000
MEDIAN RENTAL PRICE
$3,500
An Abbreviated History of Lincoln Square
Like much of Manhattan, Lincoln Square was inhabited by the Lenape people until they were uprooted in the 17th century as a result of European colonization across the Northeast. Founded on what was originally called San Juan Hill, Lincoln Square harbored a predominantly African-American and Afro-Caribbean community in the early 1900s. By 1940, the NYC Housing Authority demolished and redeveloped the area with new housing establishments and modern appeal. In the 1950s-60s, a group of civic leaders led by John D. Rockefeller III initiated the Lincoln Square Renewal Project, which ultimately built Lincoln Center. This vanguard of the Performing Arts was born of talented, reputable architects and visionary developers. A fixture of American designer Robert Moses’s urban renewal plan, Lincoln Square’s landscape would be forever changed with progressive concepts and the construction of contemporary buildings. Over the next three decades, the area continued to be rebuilt and many of the longstanding residents were displaced to areas including Harlem and the Bronx. Lincoln Square has since emerged as a thriving foundation of arts and entertainment that continues to spark interest, embrace intellect, and resonate with its residents today.
NEIGHBORHOOD BOUNDARIES
- Hudson River to the West
- West 72nd Street to the North
- West 59th Street to the East
- Central Park West to the South
| 59th Street – Columbus Circle | A C B D 1 |
| 72nd Street | A C B 1 2 3 |
| 66 Street – Lincoln Center | 1 2 |
Residents Love This Neighborhood Because
- Proximity to the Arts (theater, opera, performance)
- Sidewalk cafés
- Breathtaking architecture
- Desirable and convenient shopping
- Proximity to Central Park
What to expect
| Cafés |
+13 |
| Colleges / Universities |
2 |
| Dog Runs |
2 |
| Libraries |
5 |
| Parks |
15 |
|
Playgrounds |
8 |
|
Restaurants |
+30 |
|
Yoga Studios |
10 |
Lincoln Square Landmarks and Cultural Institutions
A NEIGHBORHOOD TOUR
Get to know the neighborhood by visiting its most notable landmarks and sites. From museums and sculptures, to parks, markets, and hidden neighborhood gems, you’ll find everything you need to know about the neighborhood’s most unique and historical attractions.
Lincoln Center For The Performing Arts
An artistic haven since 1959, Lincoln Center is New York’s and the nation’s famous Performing Arts Center hosting 5 million annual attendees from all over the world to witness Fine Arts performances across music, dance, theater, cinema, art, and culture. A legacy of art sprawled across a picturesque plaza of fountains, greenery, sculptures, and contemporary theaters and concert halls. Comprised of thirty indoor and outdoor facilities including the Lincoln Center Theater, the Metropolitan Opera House, Alice Tully Hall, Damrosch Park, and Josie Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center embraces and curates the world’s most diverse range of arts and entertainment.
American Folk Art Museum
Established in 1961, the American Folk Art Museum captures artists’ personal experiences and exhibits 8,000 works of art spanning four centuries and nearly every continent. Experience the essence of American art inspired by its rich history and resilient culture to adapt hand-made artistry and customize crafts that are remarkably original.
Metropolitan Opera House
Many of the world’s most transcendent artists have taken the stage at the Metropolitan Opera House since 1966. Also the host of the American Ballet Theatre and the historic Metropolitan Opera Company, the Met is the world’s largest repertory opera house.
Riverside Park South
This serene section of Lincoln Square offers outdoor recreation and relaxation, athletic fields, waterfront views, and over seven acres of sunset-facing green space.
15 Central Park West
Built in 2008, this New Classical style 35-floor luxury condominium offers luxurious living with glorious grounds and breathtaking views of Central Park. This corner is commonly considered the most expensive site in Manhattan because of its prime location, scenic views, and regularly some of the most lucrative real estate transactions across NYC.
Globe Sculpture At Columbus Circle
Adjacent to Central Park’s horse and carriage footprint, the Columbus Circle intersection was built in 1905 and became an exuberant area of theaters and drinking spots. Created by artist Kim Brandell, the globe suspends the world on steel above one of Manhattan’s most traveled streets.
Time Warner Center / The Shops At Columbus Circle
Time Warner Center, recently renamed Deutsche Bank Center, is a multi-use premier destination for residents, tourists, exquisite dining, and shopping at any price point. Opened in 2004, this dynamically designed building of sprawling glass ascends 55 stories and comprises the high-traffic and high-end Shops at Columbus Circle.
Septuagesimo Uno
Known as “the smallest park in NYC,” this nestled nook conveys a calming comfort amid the brownstones and bustle that make up Lincoln Square. A small space between buildings of well-maintained gardens designed to offer seating, shade, and a glimpse of green space for a peaceful pause.
The Juilliard School
This esteemed Performing Arts Conservatory, established in 1905, offers educational excellence and creative collaboration at the highest level for students and aspiring artists interested in dance, drama, and music. The private, prestigious school is widely regarded around the world as one of the finest institutions for music education.
Architecture in Lincoln Square
Renaissance Revival
Romanesque
Colonial
Art Deco
Notable New Yorkers
Who Have Lived in Lincoln Square
DENZIL BEST
Jazz Musician
THELONIOUS MONK
Jazz Musician
WYNTON MARSALIS
Lincoln Center’s artistic director
JAMES P. JOHNSON
Pianist, Creator of the “Charleston”
Popular Food & Drink
CAFE FIORELLO
One Lincoln Plaza
BOULUD SUD
One Lincoln Plaza
CAFE LUXEMBOURG
200 West 70th Street
THE SMITH
1900 Broadway Ave
ELLA SOCIAL
249 Columbus Ave
FELICE COLUMBUS
240 Columbus Ave
JEAN-GEORGES
1 Central Park West
PER SE
10 Columbus Circle
All Notable New Yorker photos courtesy of Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons. Photo of Denzil Best by William P. Gottlieb; Photo of Theolonious Monk by William P. Gottlieb; Photo of Wynton Marsalis by Eric Delmar.
