West Village, Residential neighborhood in Manhattan, United States
The West Village is a residential area in Manhattan, United States, known for its curving streets and old brick townhouses. The lanes depart from the typical rectangular grid of Manhattan and form a maze of small intersections, courtyards, and hidden passageways.
In the early 20th century, writers, painters, and theater people moved into the neighborhood, which until then was considered an affordable area away from the main boulevards. Bookshops, coffeehouses, and small galleries appeared in the following decades and turned the area into a center for artistic life.
The narrow side streets around Christopher Park carry names like Charles Street or Perry Street, recalling former residents and landowners. Today you can still see rainbow flags in windows and at shops, marking the area as a gathering place for the queer community.
The area is easy to explore on foot, as most streets are quiet and narrow and well suited for walking. Several subway lines run through the neighborhood and connect it to other parts of the city in about half an hour of travel time.
More than fifty blocks are under landmark protection, meaning that facades and streetscape from the 19th century remain largely unchanged. Even minor renovations or paint jobs require approval from a commission that oversees the preservation of the historical appearance.
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