Garment District, Manhattan, NY
About the Garment District, Manhattan
The Garment District is an area in the heart of Midtown Manhattan that is often associated with its influences on the fashion industry. The District stretches from 5th Ave in the East to 9th Ave in the West between 42nd and 34th Street. This Garment District is at the heart of Midtown, it’s one of the most densely populated areas in the city and it has historic ties to the manufacturing and production of clothing in the United States.
The Garment District is a neighborhood of grit and industry. The myriad hotels and high-rise lofts found in the area were once clothing factories that gave birth to the modern business of fashion. Although many retailers and garment wholesalers can still be found in the neighborhood, it’s not the production powerhouse it once was. Today, it is better known as a tourist hub and a neighborhood of corporate skyscrapers and luxury buildings.
History of the Garment District
The Garment District exploded in popularity in the early to mid 19th Century as the need for professionally manufactured clothing increased among the general public. Before that point, average people typically made their clothes while the rich would have professional tailors create custom garments. This began to shift in the early 1800s when the manufacture of clothing in residential buildings was outlawed. Garment makers began flooding into commercial factories in midtown to produce clothing for the masses. It became a booming industry for European immigrants arriving in the city, and the district began to churn out prolific amounts of clothing, creating a vital industry for the developing city. Overtime and the production of fashion began to move overseas and the neighborhood became dominated by other commercial interests. However, many pivotal high fashion stores and brands still have a presence in the neighborhood.
Demographics of the Garment District
The Garment District occupies a small geographic area and there are only about 6,000 people who live in the neighborhood. It tends to be a neighborhood of young and middle-aged professionals. The median age is 35 years old and only about 5% of residents in the neighborhood have children. It’s a very wealthy neighborhood, with the average household income being approximately $154,000 per year. Residents of the midtown area primarily identify as white, however, there is a sizable Asian community as well.
Transportation in the Garment District
Port Authority and Penn Station both border the Garment District, giving residents access to a variety of transportation options. At Port Authority alone, residents have access to the A, C, E, 1,2,3, N, Q, R, W, B, D, F, V, S, and 7 subway trains, as well as countless city buses and private bus companies like Greyhound and Peter Pan. At Penn Station, residents have access to Amtrak and Metro-North Trains, the Path Train, the LIRR, and the New Jersey Transit. It’s also a walking community, as numerous NYC hotspots and landmarks are just a few blocks away.
Housing in the Garment District
The Garment District is dominated by awe-inspiring skyscrapers and luxury high rises. Buildings in the garment district are a mixture of young and old- 25% of buildings were constructed before 1939 and 53% were built before 2000. Those looking to find a quirky pre-war apartment will likely be disappointed. Buildings in the Garment District tend to be old-fashioned high rises or modern luxury buildings with doormen and other amenities. Being in the heart of midtown, apartments tend to be small, yet luxurious.
Neighborhood Life in the Garment District
Residents in the Garment District have all of New York City at their fingertips. It’s one of the fastest-paced neighborhoods in the world with access to some of the city’s top restaurants and other attractions. Bryant Park is in the northeast corner of the neighborhood, giving residents a place to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Times Square, K-Town, Hudson Yards, and Chelsea all border the garment district, giving residents easy access to high-end shopping, world-famous cuisine, and the best karaoke bars in the city. It’s a small district that doesn’t have as many neighborhood bars and boutiques as other areas in New York and thus lacks a truly authentic local culture. However, the Garment District is still a bustling neighborhood in the heart of Manhattan, which gives residents the pick of the litter when it comes to entertainment options.
Similar Neighborhoods to the Garment District, Manhattan
Garment District Real Estate Trends
The Garment District has always been a site of prime real estate. Despite the exodus of fashion manufacturing from the neighborhood, other trendy businesses in creative fields like technology and design have moved in to fill the void. As a result, the Garment District ranks among Tribeca and Midtown East as some of the most desirable neighborhoods in the city. Property values have waxed and waned over the past few decades as competing neighborhoods have arisen. The development of Hudson Yards next door has led to an uptick in interest in the Garment District as new shops, restaurants and residential buildings have attracted a new generation of residents.
Garment District Median Rent Price (USD):
Studio 2,900
1bd 4,000
2bd 6,700
The Truth You Should Know About the Garment District, Manhattan
How Safe is the Garment District?
The Garment District is very safe. Because of the heavy tourist presence and proximity to Times Square the area is patrolled frequently by police and violent crime is very low. Most buildings in the neighborhood have state of the art security systems and doormen so there aren’t many robberies or home invasions. The area's proximity to Port Authority and Times Square does bring with it a petty crime and issues like homelessness. Residents should be careful walking the streets after dark, but overall, it’s a very safe area.
Are the Schools Good in the Garment District?
There aren’t very many schools in the Garment District. It’s primarily a neighborhood of young professionals, not families and the area only covers about 24 blocks. Students in the neighborhood may attend nearby schools in Chelsea or other neighborhoods. The New York Alt High School is a public high school on West 35th Street and the School for Children with Hidden Intelligence is a private school on 6th Ave that caters to children with disabilities. Residents of the Garment District also can apply for other highly rated New York City public schools in other neighborhoods.
Popular Eateries in the Garment District
Things to Do in the Garment District
Visit Bryant Park, there’s a café, reading area, public chess boards, and dance classes are often offered to visitors.
Check out the Houdini Museum on West 35th Street, the museum features exhibits on the world-famous magician Harry Houdini.
Buy a comic book at Midtown Comics on 40th and 7th Ave, the store is a world-famous spot for comic enthusiasts.
Have a drink at a rooftop bar, several highly rated establishments in the area like the No.7 Refinery Hotel and The Skylark offer scenic views of the city.
Take a yoga class at the Om Factory on Broadway, one of the largest, most coveted yoga facilities in New York City
Is the Garment District Dog-Friendly?
Not particularly. The Garment District is sandwiched between Times Square and Herald Square – the number one and two busiest commercial centers in New York – and therefore the traffic can be staggering. Apartments are not known to be the largest as the price per square foot is high and many buildings don’t allow pets. Small dogs may be manageable if you are thinking of moving to the Garment District, but larger dogs will likely be a challenge.
Is the Garment District Good for Cyclists?
It’s not the best, but if you’re a confident cycler, you'll be fine. The traffic is often bumper to bumper, and you’ll be competing for bike lanes with couriers and delivery people. It’s such a small neighborhood and the subway is easily accessible; most residents choose other transportation methods.