Photo of the American Museum of Natural History by J.M. LuijtWith miles and miles of sky-scraping buildings, brick townhouses and paved avenues New York City is the quintessential concrete jungle. For any who has ever lived in or visited this city it is hard to imagine it as anything else but the conglomeration of steel, brick and people that it is today. But to the amazement of anyone who has set their eyes on this world capital, this landmass was filled with old-growth forests, expansive wetlands, rolling hills, abundant wildlife and an aboriginal people only about 400 years ago. In comparison to European cities, some of which took thousands of years of urban evolution to take their modern shape, the rapid growth and change of New York City is staggering.

In recognition of a paradise lost, or gained depending on your perspective, the City is presenting the exhibition Mannahatta Manhattan: A Natural History of New York City. The island Henry Hudson arrived at in 1609 was called “Mannahatta” by the local people and was sparsely populated (at least compared to today’s island) and rich in natural beauty and resources. Located in the Upper East Side, the Museum of the City of New York, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society, will present historical artifacts and maps, interactive visuals and cutting edge multi-media presentations that will leave visitors with a new appreciation for the land that now houses millions. The exhibition offers a reimagining of the island of Manhattan, a place that has changed more within half-a-century than many places over thousands of years. While the loss of a rich natural habitat can be troubling (even Central Park is man-made), New York’s wildlife is preserved in its rivers, numerous preserves and majestic harbor.

New York Accomodation 1 Bedroom in Midtown East (NY-12611)
New York Accomodation 1 Bedroom in Midtown East (NY-12611)
The exhibition runs from now until October 13th.

New York Habitat apartments straddle the natural beauty of the New York landscape with the urban wonder it has become. We have plenty of accommodations in the Upper East Side for you, close to the Museum. Below are a few available apartments this early fall to get your search started:

-This 1-bedroom Accommodation in Gramercy (NY-15089) is housed in a prewar building with a 24-hour lobby attendant and features hardwood floors and access to a rooftop deck offering city views.

-This Midtown East 1-bedroom Vacation Rental (NY-12611) is on the first floor of a Midtown townhouse and features hardwood floors and a decorative fireplace.

– This beautiful 1 bedroom Accommodation in Greenwich Village-Soho (NY-14284) is located in a West-Village townhouse and features a design worthy of the pages of an interior decorating magazine.

Can you think of any other international cities that have gone through a rapid transformation comparable to that of New York?