The Steady Buzz of Excitement in Union Square – A “Smorgasbord” of Offerings and Vibrant Activity

The Midtown South neighborhood of Union Square is generally identified as the four block quad surrounding Union Square Park between 17th and 14th Street to the north and south, and Union Square East and Union Square West. However, the greater Union Square area extends east and west from Irving Place to 5th Avenue and north and south between 20th Street and 12th Street. A historic intersection within Manhattan, the area “became a public commons for the city in 1815, at first named Union Place,” and subsequently renamed Union Square in 1831. The park that anchors the neighborhood was completed and opened in July 1839 according to historical information posted by Wikipedia. “By the 20th century, Union Square had grown into a major transportation hub,” and the 14th Street-Union Square station opened in 1904. In 2024, annual ridership at the Union Square station rose by 6% to 22,811,597 according to data compiled by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), establishing it as the 4th busiest subway station in New York City. It is also “experiencing an average increase of 7,000 daily riders ending at the [Union Square] station” according to the Union Square Partnership, which serves as the organization overseeing the neighborhood. As people exit the Union Square station from one of the eight accessible express and local subway lines within it, they are greeted by the beautiful and lively greenspace of the park and so much more. Surrounded by flourishing businesses, the ground level storefronts offer a wide range of restaurants and eateries to satisfy everyone’s cravings, including the nearing opening of the new Time Out Market on East 14th Street, as well as several selections of retail, services, fitness and homeware brands including the iconic Union Square Barnes and Noble, which has called Union Square its home since 1995, offering four floors of books, author talks and book signing events.

Then of course there is the well-known Union Square Green Market, creating an “electric” atmosphere within the park on the four days it is open. Since its initial launch with just a few vendors in 1976, the Union Square Greenmarket which hosts 140 regional farmers, fishers, and bakers in peak season, has grown to become No. 1 on Food & Wine magazine’s list of “must-visit farmers’ markets.” Throughout the year, Union Square Partnership further activates the district with seasonal programming including Pickle Ball, Drive-in Movie Night, Live Music, Tulip Day, hosted by Dutch trade association Royal Anthos, and rotating public art displays. During the winter holiday season, the south end of the park is transformed into the European-style Union Square Holiday Market hosted by Urbanspace. Featuring over 185 vendors it is “the oldest holiday market in the city” and “typically draws two million visitors each holiday season.” Through the efforts of the Union Square Partnership, which is among New York City’s network of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) playing a major role in the city’s transformation to “Live-Work-Play” neighborhoods, Union Square has become home to more than 75,000 residents, 152,000-plus workers, and 60,000 students. In addition, renewed energy throughout the area has led to the opening of 53 new ground-floor businesses over the past twelve months, plus another 26 expected to open in the near future, adding to the list several long-time established local shops. The recent article by Time Out Magazine describes Union Square as an “important area to New Yorkers for decades —and these days, it’s one of the most exciting neighborhoods in the city.”

Source:    https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/why-union-square-is-one-of-nycs-buzziest-neighborhoods-right-now-091625