There's a very good reason that this area bears Andrew Carnegie's name. Near the turn of the century, when the area was considered the frontier of the city, Carnegie decided he would build himself a place to get away from the bustle of downtown. Unfortunately, the plan backfired. Other members of the upper class, seeing Carnegie's new mansion as a brave statement, followed him uptown.

Not long after moving to his new estate, the steel magnate found himself in the center of it all once again. Because of all the new money coming into the neighborhood, the character of it changed significantly. Gone were many of the row houses and tenements. In their place sprang up mansions and luxury apartment complexes.

Now, a significant portion of this section has been designated an historic district in order to prevent further development. Simply walking and examining the varying styles, from Federalist to Romanesque, it isn't difficult to see why these buildings should be preserved. Be sure to look carefully, as many of the facades contain intricate carvings that you won't see on most modern architecture.

Recently, many upscale retailers have been taking advantage of the significant amount of buying power common for this area. The area on 86th Street now does a brisk tourist business on the weekends, as the well-to-do from miles around come here to make a contribution to the local economy.

Because the 4, 5, and 6 subway line is the only one to service the whole of the Upper East Side, most people who want an apartment in Carnegie Hill need to have the gumption to withstand crowded commutes. While the tourist trade is quite brisk on the major thoroughfares, it is virtually nonexistent once you walk a few blocks deeper. This makes Carnegie Hill an ideal place to live for those people who value their privacy, but also like to be close to the many conveniences that New York has to offer.