Named after the iconic wedge-shaped Flatiron Building, this commercial neighborhood is also home to tall apartment buildings and office high-rises.
Residents and tourists frequent the hip bars, stalls at Italian food emporium Eataly and eclectic food trucks along Fifth Avenue. Madison Square Park is a focal point. It is known for its seasonal art installations, holiday events and the long line at the original Shake Shack.
The designation “Flatiron District” dates from around 1985 – real estate agents needed an appealing name to call the area in their ads.
Before that time it was called the Toy District. The Toy Center buildings at 23rd Street and Broadway date from this period, and the annual American International Toy Fair took place there beginning in 1903, except for 1945. When much of this business moved outside the U.S., the area began to be referred to as the Photo District.
Many publishers as well as advertising agencies, and the number of computer / Web-related start-up companies moved in the area caused it to be considered part of “Silicon Alley” or “Multimedia Gulch”, along with TriBeCa and SoHo in late 2000’s onward.
