Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, NY
About Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
Located on Manhattan’s West Side, Hell’s Kitchen is a bustling neighborhood known for its world-class restaurants and nightlife. Blocks from Times Square, Hell’s Kitchen is in the heart of New York City. Walking distance to Port Authority and Columbus Circle, residents have easy access to dozens of subway lines and other forms of transportation.
Hell’s Kitchen is well known for its proximity to Broadway and the Garment District. The architecture of the neighborhood is a mixture of glass-adorned skyscrapers and modest low-rise apartment buildings. Residents of Hell’s Kitchen can enjoy all the amenities of urban living right at their fingertips.
History of Hell’s Kitchen
The Neighborhood was originally referred to as Great Kill by the European settlers who colonized Manhattan. The name referred to a convergence of three major streams at what is present-day 42nd Street and 10th Avenue. The area remained a rural riverfront neighborhood until the construction of the Hudson River Railroad in 1849 which ran along 11th Ave. This development industrialized the neighborhood and turned it into a hub for working-class Irish immigrants coming to America to escape the Potato Famine. By the late 1980s, the neighborhood had become an area notorious for organized crime. However, since the 1990's the area has changed drastically and become one of Manhattan’s most desirable neighborhoods.
Hell’s Kitchen Demographics
Hell’s Kitchen has a population of approximately 52,000 people. It’s a neighborhood populated primarily by young adults. About 33% of residents are between the ages of 25 and 34. Residents are primarily white, however, Asian and Latino communities are also prevalent in the neighborhood. The area is known for its sizeable LGBTQ community as well. The majority of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and the median income is approximately $97,000.
Housing in Hell’s Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen is notable for its abundance of low-rise apartment buildings, compared to the tony skyscrapers found in neighboring districts. Although Hell’s Kitchen boasts its fair share of luxury high-rises, compared to adjacent areas, its architecture is decidedly modest. The neighborhood still features many pre-war buildings that give the area the gothic charm for which New York City is known. It’s a neighborhood that features the best of both worlds –stunning new developments with all the modern bells and whistles a homeowner could want, as well as quirky, spacious apartment buildings with ornate detailing.
Neighborhood Life in Hell’s Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen is well known as a hospitality and entertainment hub. The district thrives off the traffic that spills over from nearby attractions like Broadway and Lincoln Center. World-class restaurants sit beside the best dollar pizza places you’ll find in the city. Busy, local bars line 8th and 9th Avenue across the entire neighborhood. Several prominent LGBTQ establishments, like the Atlas Social Club and Boxers, form the heart of the district and on summer nights, partygoers often converge in the streets outside these bars. The beauty of Hell’s Kitchen is that you’re rarely far from anything that’s going on in the city. The proximity of almost every major subway line and its central position in the City makes Hell’s Kitchen both a great hang out spot and the perfect starting point for a night out on the town.
Similar neighborhoods
Real Estate Trends
Real estate iin Hell’s Kitchen is considered a highly desirable neighborhood for its location and abundance of available activities. Thirty years ago, the neighborhood was considered a dangerous area. However today it's considered one of New York’s most posh and sought-after locations. Real estate values have continued to skyrocket with the development of neighboring areas like Billionaire’s Row and Hudson Yards transforming the perception of the area completely. However, compared to these neighborhoods, Hell's Kitchen is still also more affordable.
Hell's Kitchen Median Sale Price (USD):
Studio 600,000
1bd 1,000,000
2bd 1,600,000
3bd 2,900,000
Hell's Kitchen Median Rent Price (USD):
Studio 2,500
1bd 3,400
2bd 4,700
3bd 5,400
The Truth You Should Know About Hell’s Kitchen.
Is Hell’s Kitchen Safe?
Despite its tough beginnings, Hell’s Kitchen is now considered a safe neighborhood. Due to its proximity to Times Square and other high traffic areas the police presence in Hell’s Kitchen is very high. That being said the amount of people that come in and out of the neighborhood daily is staggering and that brings with it some crime. Residents should always be on alert, but most residents report that the crime is minimal and has a limited impact on their feeling of safety.
Are Schools in Hell’s Kitchen Good?
Yes, Hell’s Kitchen is home to several top-rated public schools. PS 51 Elias Howe and PS 111 Adolph Ochs are two highly-rated public elementary schools in the neighborhood (Adolph Ochs also goes through 8th grade). For high school, students have the opportunity to attend local schools that fit their passions. For example, the Professional Performing Arts High School, the School for Environmental Studies, and the Food and Finance High School are all located in Hell’s Kitchen and cater to students grades 9 through 12.
Popular Eateries in Hell’s Kitchen
Things to Do in Hell’s Kitchen
Go see a Broadway Play, the theatre district and Hell’s Kitchen overlap
Take a pedicab tour around Central Park, the entrance to the park at Columbus Circle marks the northwestern point of the neighborhood.
Go see a show at the nearby Lincoln Center, the concert hall is famous for its performing art and musical exhibitions
Attend an event at Madison Square Garden, the amphitheater is well known for its live concerts and sporting events.
Check out the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market, a local favorite where patrons can find all kinds of interesting second-hand oddities.
See a band perform at Terminal-5, a local concert venue that hosts performances by major bands and hip-hop acts.
Is Hell’s Kitchen Dog Friendly?
Yes and no. Parks are abundant nearby and many buildings in the neighborhood allow pets. However, the dense traffic and crowds may make it difficult to care for larger animals. The proximity to Central Park gives dog owners an oasis to bring their animals on the weekend, to frolic, and let loose. However, pets should be closely monitored due to the high volume of potential dangers. Residents with pets will not feel out of place in Hell’s Kitchen, although larger animals may require more space and room to exercise.
Is Hell’s Kitchen Good For Cycling?
Hell’s Kitchen is a great neighborhood for experienced cyclists. However, it may prove to be a challenge for casual enthusiasts. All major thoroughfares have bike lanes and motorists and pedestrians know to respect cyclists as a part of the traffic ecosystem. However, Hell’s Kitchen features some of the densest traffic in the world and can be a bit overwhelming for those who are inexperienced with riding in the city. Those who are used to it will have no problem navigating the neighborhood on a bike.
What's Planned for Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan?
Pier 97 - near W. 57 St on the Hudson River - is being renovated into a new public park.
A new Target store is planned to open on 10 Ave. at W. 45 St.
Industrial 11 Ave. will likely see new luxury residential construction in the future.
The Port Authority Bus Terminal could be relocated to a site station located beneath the Javits Center. If the station is moved, the prime location on 8 Ave. could be rebuilt with a new office tower.
5 Things to Know Before Moving to Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
Avoid walking through Times Square as a part of your daily routine. You will lose precious time trying pass through large groups of tourists or salespeople
Catch the A/C/E train at 59th Street rather than 42nd Street to have a better chance of getting a seat on the train, especially in the mornings before work.
If you’re headed east from Hell’s Kitchen, it’s often faster to walk or drive to your destination. Many of the subway lines that run through the neighborhood run North to South and will require you to follow a convoluted path to go East
Eighth Avenue is sometimes blocked off on weekends to accommodate street fairs. Pedestrian traffic is permitted, but cars are not.
There’s a power plant on W. 59 St., but it reportedly does not generate noise or add air pollution in the area.