Flatiron District, Commercial and residential district in Manhattan, US.
The Flatiron District is a commercial and residential neighborhood in Manhattan that runs from 14th Street to 23rd Street, stretching between Sixth Avenue and Park Avenue South. Wide streets cut through the area, with Broadway and Fifth Avenue intersecting to create several triangular blocks.
The neighborhood was known as the Toy District in the early 20th century due to toy manufacturers and dealers operating there. In the 1980s, many photography studios moved in, leading to a new identity as the Photo District.
This neighborhood takes its name from the triangular Flatiron Building, which rises at the intersection of two major avenues and has drawn attention for its unusual shape for more than a century. Cafés and small shops line the sidewalks, while locals use Madison Square Park for lunch breaks or reading.
Several subway lines stop at the 23rd Street stations, including the N, R, W, 6, and F trains, making the area reachable from all parts of Manhattan. Sidewalks are wide and mostly level, which makes walking between blocks easy.
The intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue creates a sharp corner that shapes the triangular layout of several blocks and influences the overall look of the neighborhood. This pattern has forced architects to build on narrow and unusually shaped plots.
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