The center of academia and most beautiful section of Manhattan is known as Morningside Heights. It is my one of my favorite neighborhoods in North America. Morningside Heights is in the Upper West-side of Manhattan. It has a very low crime rate and is the heart of academia in New York City. The area spans from 106th to 123rd Street between Morningside Park and Riverside Park. At the top of the bluff it looks down on the Hudson River and on the other side has a view of Harlem. There have been many apartment conversions over the last 30 years into ownership. There is nary an apartment that sells for less than one million dollars.
Academia and Arts:
The neighborhood is home to Columbia, Barnard, Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, Union Theology Seminary, Jewish Theological Seminary and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center. The area known is not only known for its beauty in architecture, it is and has been the residence of some of the more interesting people on the planet. It would be impossible to list all of the current and former interesting people who live in the neighborhood, but the list runs the gamut from financier George Soros to writer Eudora Welty. In public service the likes of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Thurgood Marshall, Dwight David Eisenhower, Madeline Albright, Jean Kirpatrick and so many others have strolled the neighborhood.
Books and Film:
Morningside Heights has been the setting for fictional works and films. It is the home of J.D. Salinger’s Glass family lived on 110 Street between Broadway and Riverside. “Till the Fat Lady Sings,” by Alisa Kwitney is about whacked out English majors at Columbia. Columbia School of Journalism being one of the most prestigious schools of journalism in the United States. Authors and screenwriters simply love the Morningside Heights neighborhood. From Woody Allen to William Goldman there is just something about the place that attracts genius.
Books have been written about the history of Morningside Heights including the architecture and various rifts that occurred in plotting out the destiny of this wonderful neighborhood. Morningside Heights by Andrew S. Dolkart is a retrospective of the 17th, 18th and early 19th century history of the land and its people. Today Morningside Heights has in addition to great buildings and institutions exquisite parks and monuments.
Monuments:
If someone in the future should ask you, “Who is buried in Grant’s Tomb?” You can say, “Grant and it is on 122nd and Riverside Drive in Morningside Heights.” Grant’s Tomb is overseen by the National Park Service and the public is always welcome. It is a picturesque park with benches and a view of the Hudson River.
Children and Parks:
Morningside Heights is also home to children. Riverside Park has kids activities and the area is well supervised. That is the other great feature, the area is very safe. Whether the police are more vigilant or the neighbors more aware, the place is a great place to live or visit. A friend of mine lived on Riverside Drive and during extended trips to Europe I would come and go. The security in the area is fantastic. There was always some form of private or public security service in the area of the home. The door man knew everyone who should be there and if not asked. The home itself was exquisite with hardwood floors throughout and a magnificent view of the area.
Merchants, Restaurants and Cafes:
There are various restaurants and shops that you will enjoy in the area. The most phenomenal view I have ever seen is from the Terrace Restaurant at Columbia University. The view from The Terrace is as breathtaking as the view from the Top of the Mark in San Francisco. As I recall The Terrace was a little pricier than The Mark. Nonetheless, it is history and legend these fine establishments are all about. The Terrace is Morningside Heights.
If you are a book store nut, you will find the area of Broadway in Morningside Heights a treasure trove of antique, used and interesting books. The area has cafes and bakeries in the area in case you need a break. It can take the better part of the day to meander around the stores, so bring some good walking shoes.
Preservation and Development:
Morningside Park is the loveliest neighborhood in the United States. There are others, but this neighborhood exudes something special which I cannot adequately describe. You simply have to visit and take in the scenery and the people. There are currently on going issues with zoning in Morningside Heights. An on going project to fix Amsterdam Avenue has drawn a host of opinions and may some day be finished.
There are various small businesses that have asked for exceptions. There are additions to Columbia that are being considered. Community litigation wins some,but looses more in the spirit of development. The beautiful gardens on Amsterdam Avenue near the nursing home were concreted in, but their position was they needed more space for residents. The area is not stagnate, some thing or some body is either seeking to limit or preclude something in Morningside Heights.
It is in reality a small place like any small town where the residents have a huge investment in the place not going to the dogs. On the other hand, there are huge financial considerations by developers who are challenged to build on every inch in Morningside Heights. There may be more expensive neighborhoods in the United States, but none as historical and aesthetically situated along the Hudson River as Morningside Heights. There was a win for historic preservation in the Casa Italiano renovation. The historic facade and inside of the building was retained in its original state of circa 1927. The building is owned by the government of Italy and is the home of the Italian Academy of Advanced Studies in Americal.
What ever the changes may be for the future of Morningside Heights they will not stray very far from the historic significance of the area. It is a living history of beauty and academia living side by side. Who knows maybe you will see the spirit of F.Scott Fitzgerald and Eurdora Welty lunching together at Riverside Park. The area is filled with great spirits and energy that you will see and feel when you visit the neighborhood. People were friendly the last time I was there, but it depends on circumstances and whether you are visiting a resident. Many of the places are public and anyone can visit. The local businesses will sure welcome you with open arms.
