On the surface, Battery Park City looks like the standard Manhattan neighborhood. Tall apartment buildings and luxury high-rises dominate the skyline. Its close proximity to the Financial District might also make the outsider think that the community is just as busy as its neighbor.
In reality, however, Battery Park City exists as one of New York City’s urban oases—quiet, idyllic, and soothing. And despite its price tag, residents say it is all worth it. This definite guide to living in Battery Park City will better illustrate why.
What’s inside:
- A primer on Battery Park City
- Homes in Battery Park City
- What to see
- Schools
- Where to eat
- Where to play
- How to get around
- Find your place in Battery Park City with Angel Recalde
A primer on Battery Park City
It is amazing how far Battery Park City has gone. Located in the southernmost tip of Manhattan along the Hudson River, the neighborhood used to be a landfill over 50 years ago. Today, it is a vibrant waterfront neighborhood that feels very much like a resort in the city.
In between the aforementioned apartment buildings and luxury high-rises are lush pockets of green, affording residents and visitors alike a plethora of quiet outdoor spaces for rest and relaxation. Among these outdoor spaces are over 60 community garden plots managed by Liberty Community Gardens. Members include residents and local schools.
Gems are tucked everywhere in the neighborhood; they can come in the form of museums and memorials, restaurants, and elegant shopping centers. All of these are a short walking, running, or biking distance away— all popular activities among those living in Battery Park City.
Battery Park City stretches for 92 acres, bordered by the Financial District, Tribeca, and the Hudson River. Across the water is Jersey City, and due southeast, you can enjoy unobstructed views of Liberty State Park’s sprawling greens and the majestic Statue of Liberty.
Homes in Battery Park City
Upscale apartments and luxury condos comprise the entirety of real estate offerings in Battery Park City. Some of the older rental buildings in the neighborhood have been recently converted into condos.
Battery Park City is considered one of the more expensive neighborhoods in the city. The median selling price in the area was around $850,000 in February of 2022, which represented an 18% year-on-year increase. The current trend in the market suggests that there is relatively high demand for homes in Battery Park City—39 properties were sold in the neighborhood in February, which far exceeds the 19 homes sold in the same month last year. These homes spent an average of 64 days on the market.
A note on fees
Part and parcel of the rather high prices in Battery Park City are the fees the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) charges its residents. The organization is responsible for the overall management of the neighborhood. BPCA projects include security, neighborhood upkeep and conservation, as well as free activities.
What to see
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- Van Gogh Exhibit NYC: The Immersive Experience
Skylight on Vesey, 300 Vesey Street, 3rd Floor, New York CityLarger than life, this traveling art exhibit showcases Van Gogh’s most iconic artworks as two-story, floor-to-ceiling projections on a 20,000-square-foot space, accompanied by sound for a truly immersive experience.
The Van Gogh Exhibit NYC at Skylight on Vesey will only run until April 10, 2022. Book your tickets here to catch it before it is gone.
- Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park, 36 Battery Place, New York CityLocated near Battery Park, the Museum of Jewish Heritage chronicles Jewish culture and heritage spanning two centuries, with special emphasis on the plight of the Jewish peoples during the Holocaust.
There are several permanent and temporary exhibitions. Currently on display is “Boris Lurie: Nothing To Do But Try,” an exhibit about Boris Lurie, a Holocaust survivor and oil painter. The exhibit will run until November 2022.
The Museum of Jewish Heritage is open on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, NYC DOE students, and most importantly, Holocaust survivors can visit for free. If you are neither of these, you can still visit the museum for free on Thursdays, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
- The Skyscraper Museum
39 Battery Place, New York CityLocated a short distance away from Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park is the Skyscraper Museum. Founded in 1996, this museum highlights the architectural heritage of New York City. It is open Thursdays to Saturdays, from 12 noon through 6:00 P.M. Admission is free until July 2022.
- Poets House
10 River Terrace, New York CityHousing over 70,000 volumes of poetry, Poets House along River Terrace is a true repository. It also hosts numerous poetry programs and exhibitions in-person and virtually.
Poets House is currently closed to the public because of ongoing repair work. However, it is slated to open in the later part of the year.
Where to eat
Battery Park City is not well-known for its culinary scene, but the neighborhood does have some scrumptious fare to offer. Among these is Gigino, where diners can enjoy authentic Tuscan dishes in a waterfront setting, the Statue of Liberty not too far away. El Vez and Burrito Bar at Conrad New York Downtown, meanwhile, specializes on reasonably priced Mexican favorites (drink and food). Blue Smoke, also at the Conrad, is a local purveyor of soulful Southern cuisine.
Living in Battery Park City, the best place to source fresh, baked goods remains Le Pain Quotidien. Their neighborhood outpost is located at the street level of Gateway Battery Park City Apartments. Meanwhile, the Museum of Jewish Heritage also houses another community favorite: Lox Cafe, a casual eatery serving Russian and Jewish food.
Where to play
Recreation is an integral part of living in Battery Park City. Throughout the neighborhood’s 92 acres are pockets of green, plazas, outdoor seating areas, river-side paths, and open-air esplanades that serve as gathering spaces for residents and visitors.
There are a total of five public parks in Battery Park City, covering about one-third of the entire neighborhood. One of these is Rockefeller Park, occupying eight acres in the northeast corner of Battery Park City. It is notable for its mile-and-a-half-long waterfront esplanade. Another notable green space is Teardrop Park. Surrounded by high-rise buildings, this 1.8-acre park features sand pits, play areas, and an art installation made of rocks sourced from within New York State.
For team sports and other activities, Battery Park City has its own ball fields along North End Avenue. Considered as one of the best spaces of its kind in the entire city, Battery Park City Ball Fields is ideal for frisbee, soccer, Lacrosse, and baseball.
Schools
There are four public schools located within Battery Park City, all of which are overseen by the New York City Department of Education. These are:
- Battery Park City School (M276), which ranks #37 among all public middle schools in the city
- Liberty School (P.S. 89), which is offers education for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade
- Hudson River Middle School (I.S. 289), which is open for students grades 6 to 8. It is located in the same building as Liberty School
- Stuyvesant High School, a highly selective school that is widely recognized as one of the best high schools in the United States. Its alumni consists of four Nobel laureates. It is currently ranked as the 7th best high school in New York and 44th in the country.
How to get around
Battery Park City may feel off-the-grid, but the neighborhood is exceptionally well-connected. Several subway trains make stops in the area, including 1/2/3 and A/C at Chambers Street. There is a free bus service by Downtown Alliance and operates seven days a week except on major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day).
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) also reaches Battery Park City. Three bus lines make regular stops here: M9, M20, and M22. For those who are taking the Path train, World Trade Center Station is the stop. This is connected to Brookfield Place in Battery Park City by an underpass.
For those who are more environmentally conscious, Citi Bike has several bike-sharing stations scattered throughout the neighborhood: West Street and Chambers Street, Little West Street and 1st Place, Vesey Place and River Terrace, West Street and Liberty Street, and along West Thames Street.
Parking spots
Parking can be hard to come across in Manhattan. For those who are living in Battery Park City, public car garages are available for use. Entrances can be found along Greenwich, Morris, and Washington.
Find your place in Battery Park City with Angel Recalde
Battery Park City represents a rare side of living in New York City: slow-paced, relaxed, with every nook and cranny a good space to stop and enjoy the day or night. And in the waterfront esplanade, across the water, a quintessential symbol of New York City and the American Dream.
Angel Recalde, New York City’s luxury real estate guy, is the ideal person to show you all of your real estate options in Battery Park City. A local New Yorker through and through with intimate knowledge of the city’s finest luxury properties, there is no better person to guide you through Battery Park City real estate.
Start your journey to living in Battery Park City. Connect with Angel Recalde today at 917.239.9987 or angelrecalde1(at)gmail(dotted)com.