Flatiron District, Manhattan

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The famous Flatiron building for which the district is named.

The Flatiron District is a small area in the Midtown area of the New York City borough of Manhattan, and is named after the Flatiron Building. The Flatiron Building, while not nearly as impressive in height as its neighbors, is notable for its triangular shape. This design was necessitated by the angle of the land that is created by the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway.

[edit] Area features

Prior to being renamed, the same general area had been referred to as the "Photo District" due to the large number of photographers' studios and associated businesses located there.
Madison Square Park, a small green area with an old-fashioned shake & burger stand known as the Shake Shack, is located in this district between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue on 23rd Street. Madison Avenue begins in the Flatiron District at 23rd Street and runs north towards its famous Midtown section.
The "Toy District" is also located in this area. A number of toy manufacturers have trade showrooms in buildings across from Madison Square Park, and the headquarters of the Toy Industry Association which puts on the American International Toy Fair yearly are located here as well.
Giving this area a bit of color are the Museum of Sex and the Gershwin Hotel, both located on 27th Street. The Gershwin is a tribute to the late pop artist Andy Warhol, and features some of his art and memorabilia throughout the hotel.
There are also many stores around the area, such as Ann Taylor, Victoria's Secret, Club Monaco, and Origins.

[edit] Context

Flatiron is more or less the "gap" between Midtown and Lower Manhattan. It is mostly commercial, but is not technically located in the bustling Midtown commercial zone. It also lacks the residential charm of the neighborhoods to the south, including Little Italy and East Village.