TriBeCa - Battery Park

A view of the construction site of the World Trade Center (courtesy of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey)

Almost eleven years after the September 11 attacks shook the world, the new World Trade Center is well underway. The National 9/11 Memorial is now open to visitors, and the construction of the new towers is taking shape. In fact, on April 30th, One World Trade Center overcame the Empire State Building as the tallest building in New York City!

World Trade Center map and its surrounding attractions

It seems Lower Manhattan has finally embraced its new position of being a commemorative site, cultural center, business hotspot, retail destination and residential community. It’s clear this area is definitely a must-see in New York! But where to begin?

1. Visit the National 9/11 Memorial

We suggest you start by visiting the WTC site. In 2003, a master plan was approved which incorporated both the desire to turn the site into a lasting memorial and the will to rebuild the towers even stronger and taller than they stood before. The new WTC will consist of five towers and a new transportation hub surrounding the National 9/11 Memorial [see pin 1 on the map] . The Memorial features two massive square pools that are set within the footprints of the Twin Towers, and bear the names of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the 9/11 attacks and the 1993 bombing of the North Tower. A Memorial Museum stands in between the two fountains, but as of May 2012 it is not yet finished. The plaza surrounding the fountains and museum is filled with hundreds of oak trees. One tree, however, is different: a single pear tree stands out from the rest. This Survivor Tree was saved from the original WTC site after the attacks and nursed back to health. Now it stands proudly at the plaza once more, and has even bloomed again. Visitors gather here just to touch the bark of the “miracle tree”, which has inspired hope and stands as a vision of rebirth. Read the entire story here…»

Tribeca Film Festival logo

Founded following the September 11th attacks by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff, The Tribeca Film Festival in downtown Manhattan – New York City has quickly become one of the most prominent gatherings for budding and vetted film actors, directors and cultural icons in the United States. The New york City’s festival in TriBeCa is grittier than its counterparts in Cannes and Park City, focusing more on the films than the ostentatious celebrity gift bags. Nevertheless, Mr. De Niro is a staple at festival events and many international movie stars can be seen taking in films or acting as judges on festival panels. New York Habitat has several apartment rentals in TriBeCa and in Battery Park available just steps from the festivities but if you want a prime apartment its a good idea to book early. Read the entire story here…»

Logo of the Tribeca film festival

Every year since 2002, the Tribeca Film Festival has been held in southern Manhattan to showcase top independent films.

Finding a hotel room in the area can be difficult if not impossible because there are limited rooms in the neighborhood, but New York Habitat can help find the perfect vacation rental in TriBeCa whether you are a viewer, a critic, or part of the cast and crew of a movie. We have options to meet most everyone’s needs.

The 2007 Tribeca Film Festival:

The 2007 Tribeca Film Festival is taking place from April 25th to May 6th and includes showings of hundreds of movies at venues scattered throughout Manhattan. In the beginning, movies were generally shown just around the Tribeca area, but as the event has grown, showings have grown to include theaters in Midtown as well as the Upper East Side and Upper West Side. Tickets generally are available from $14 to $18 with special multi-movie packages available on the Film Festival’s website. Read the entire story here…»

One bedroom apartment in TriBeCa NY-12061

TriBeCa is an area of southern Manhattan roughly defined by the Hudson River to the West, Canal Street with SoHo to the North, Broadway with the Financial District to the East and Park Place to the South. Over the past 20 or so years, TriBeCa has gone from a neighborhood of mostly industrial buildings to one of the most chic residential neighborhoods in Manhattan. The combination of its proximity to Wall Street, the large loft-like spaces and the budding restaurant scene have combined to make TriBeCa’s popularity increase.

The Apartments:

TriBeCa and Battery Park apartment offerings are unique in New York because of their generous size. Some of New York Habitat’s listings there include a one-bedroom apartment in TriBeCa (NY-207), and a one-bedroom apartment with a large roof terrace which has view of 7 World Trade Center (NY-12061).

The Culture:

The neighborhood has a strong connection to the movie/television industry as a number of stars — including Robert De Niro, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jon Stewart and Meryl Streep — have residences there. De Niro has increased the area’s movie flavor by founding the TriBeCa Film Festival, which takes place at the end of April every year. Read the entire story here…»