East Village/Lower East Side Historic District, Protected historic district in Lower Manhattan, United States
The East Village/Lower East Side Historic District is a protected residential neighborhood in Manhattan with approximately 330 designated buildings. The structures are concentrated along Second Avenue and between First and Avenue A, spanning from East 2nd to East 6th Street.
The area developed from the late 1800s as an immigrant neighborhood and received official protection in 2012 from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. This designation safeguards the buildings and stories that define this part of Manhattan.
The streets contain houses of worship and performance spaces shaped by Jewish and German communities who lived here for generations. Walking through, you see how these groups left their mark on the buildings and street character.
The neighborhood is served by several subway lines with stations at Second Avenue, First Avenue, and Astor Place for easy access. Daytime visits work best when shops and restaurants are open and the streets feel most active.
A gas explosion in March 2015 destroyed several historic buildings in the district. This event highlighted both the neighborhood's vulnerability and the importance of the protections now in place.
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