The Lincoln Square neighborhood, a micro-neighborhood within the Upper West Side, spans from Columbus to Amsterdam Avenues in the east and west, and West 66th and 63rd Streets to the north and south.
In a town that features Broadway shows and neighborhoods where you can’t kick a can down the street without passing an A-list actor, Lincoln Square is perhaps one of the most impressive Manhattan hubs for the performing arts, housing the Lincoln Center and The Juilliard School.
History
Formerly known as San Juan Hill, this micro-neighborhood was renamed Lincoln Square in the early 1900s. Several famous musicians, including Thelonious Monk, thrived on the African American and Afro-Caribbean cultural fusion that permeated through the neighborhood.
Decades later, the quality of the neighborhood had fallen, and the NYC Housing Authority named the area one of the worst slum sections in the city. An urban renewal initiative shortly followed, which was led by titans of industry and notable NYC figures John D. Rockefeller III and Robert Moses.
This initiative oversaw the construction of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and several notable housing developments that sparked progress and laid the foundation for the Lincoln Square neighborhood of today.
Accessibility
Transit from Lincoln Square to anywhere in Manhattan is a breeze. The neighborhood is served by the 66th Street – Lincoln Center stop, which provides access to the 1, 2, and 3 trains, and also the 59th Street – Columbus Circle stop which provides access to the 1, A, B, C, and D trains. Additionally, several Citi Bike stations have opened up recently around the neighborhood.
Lifestyle
The Lincoln Square neighborhood houses the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, The Juilliard School, The Metropolitan Opera, and the New York City Ballet. It’s safe to say the neighborhood is a performing arts haven.
There are few places in the world where you can casually watch a screening of an opera in the park or enjoy a free outdoor concert featuring musicians from the top conservatory in the world, but Lincoln Square is one of those places.
Restaurants
Rising rent costs have pushed out a lot of the older, more traditional spots in the Lincoln Square neighborhood to make way for upscale eateries.
Only the most iconic older spots are able to compete with the flashy, new counterparts. This culinary Darwinism is good for residents, as they have options spanning from affordable classics and more gourmet, specialty restaurants. Two of our favorites are P.J. Clarke’s and The Smith, but you really can do no wrong with all of the amazing options available.
Cost
Properties in the Upper West Side region of Manhattan are generally more expensive. The Lincoln Square neighborhood is no different, with the median rent hitting $3,450/mo and the median selling price totaling $1.4 million.
Final Verdict
If the arts fuel your creativity and inspiration, the Lincoln Square neighborhood could be perfect for you. There is no place in Manhattan, or possibly the world, where there’s a higher concentration of highly-accomplished and skilled artists.
