The neighborhoods that make up the Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill, Yorkville, and the Lower Upper East Side-are synonymous with the wealthy residents that have made this section of Manhattan their home over the last century. Only Yorkville, however, can state that they have what is probably the most sought-after address in all of New York City.
Despite its upscale appearance, part of this district had rather modest beginnings. With the construction of the Third Avenue elevated subway line near the turn of the century, the area became a second haven to many German immigrants who were being slowly displaced from their downtown residences.
Once the trains went underground, the area became a great deal more isolated. Eventually, the German section of Yorkville began shrinking. Although most of those former residents have since moved on, there is still a thriving pocket of inhabitants who speak German to this day.
One thing that the Germans have left behind for the rest of Manhattan to sample is their rich food heritage. Second Avenue between 84th and 86th Streets is still the heart of German cuisine. You can take your pick of sausages at Schaller and Weber, Black Forest Cake at Kramer's Pastries, or your choice of beers at Heidelberg.
Perhaps the most famous German immigrant to live in Yorkville was Carl Schurz. After being a minister to Spain, a Union Army general, and Secretary of the Interior under President Rutherford Hayes, Schurz moved back to Yorkville, where he worked as an editor for the New York Evening Post and Harper's Weekly. East End Park was renamed Carl Schurz Park in 1911 in his honor.
Speaking of His Honor, the most coveted address in New York City happens to be in Carl Schurz Park: Gracie Mansion. Home of most New York City mayors since Fiorello LaGuardia first moved in during the Second World War, with the exception of Michael Bloomberg, the mansion's significance actually goes back much farther.
George Washington commandeered this swath of land from its owner, Jacob Walton, so that he could fortify it against the British. Ultimately, Washington didn't fortify it enough, as the British bombarded the spot from across the East River. Walton's house was one of the casualties.
The Walton family subsequently sold the property to Archibald Gracie, a recent émigré from Scotland. Gracie built his famous mansion as a country home in 1799, only to sell it less than a quarter-century later. The City of New York acquired the property almost a hundred years later, and every mayor since LaGuardia has called it home while in office. If you'd rather not depend on the electorate to see its interior, the first floor is open to the general public.
Although it isn't known if the Mayor participates, there is a strong athletic community in Yorkville. Whether your interests run from basketball to softball or football, it's likely that there's an organized team in the area that could use another player. If you prefer exercising alone, Central Park is about a ten-minute walk. Or a five-minute jog.
Because of the successive waves of new inhabitants, the apartment buildings in Yorkville range from quaint townhouses to ultra-modern apartment complexes. Interior spaces also vary from the tiny to the cavernous. With all the different varieties offered, chances are there's a combination in this area that will fit your needs perfectly.
