A Manhattan Oasis: Battery Park City

Battery Park City is located in lower Manhattan, New York City, just west of the former World Trade Center site (Ground Zero), Wall Street, and Battery Park itself. Twenty-five years ago this area was non-existent. In the early 1980's, the only thing west of the World Trade Center and the West Side Highway (now West Street) were broken down piers. Then, in the mid-1980's, a developer had a dream, driven by the need for more residential and business space. The old piers were destroyed, and on the landfill, a beautiful residential complex, and business complex called the World Financial Center were born. This area was then named Battery Park City. While new development is still taking place in the general area, the area has much to offer to the visitor, resident or business person. The area was dealt a severe blow on September 11, 2001, but the cleaning and rebuilding efforts have made it once again a beautiful area of Manhattan. Following is a brief overview of the business and residential sectors of Battery Park City.

The World Financial Center

The World Financial Center (WFC) was the first business complex to rise in the Battery Park City area. While there are several buildings that comprise the complex, it consisted originally of three buildings connected by pedestrian overpasses to the World Trade Center. Today, there are temporary overpasses on busy West Street. The highlight of the complex is the Winter Garden, a beautiful building connecting the North and South Towers of the World Financial Center. Surrounded by windows on both the West Street side and Hudson River side, it has at least 15 large palm trees that reach up to a windowed ceiling. There are about 50 marble stairs that lead you down to the bottom of the marbled winter garden floor, and you can relax on the many benches near the trees. Surrounding the trees are upscale shops, and the corridors that lead away from the palm trees to the north and south buildings have great eateries including Johhny's Fish Grill, Au Mandarin, and several other, more casual lunch venues.