Yorkville
At the heart of this enclave is Carl Schurz Park—home to Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor of New York City. The East River Esplanade, another pedestrian-zoned green space, sits atop FDR drive along the East River, offering sweeping views of Roosevelt Island and Queens. The ambiance of this neighborhood is laid-back, slow-paced, and friendly. Just because of its proximity to the Upper East Side’s vast hospital complex, a bit farther south, but because of access to the highest density of schools.
Where Is Yorkville located in NYC?
Yorkville is on the Upper East Side in Manhattan, between East Harlem to the north and East 79th Street to the south.
- East to West Boundaries: The East River to Third Avenue
- North to South Boundaries: East 96th Street to East 79th Street
- Subway: Q
- Ticket out of the City: FDR Drive Northbound and Southbound, NYC Ferry Soundview route, which stops at 92nd Street.
What to Do in Yorkville?
Yorkville is about as far as one can get from Manhattan’s bustling nightlife scene, and the nearest museums and arts institutions are farther west, on Fifth Avenue. Its commercial hub is along 86th Street. For designer boutiques and other high-end shops and restaurants, residents head to Second and Third Avenues. The area’s many leafy side streets lead to tiny parks and open spaces, including John Jay Playground, which offers two public outdoor pools, and basketball and tennis courts. Asphalt Green, the sprawling athletic center, is nearby with its Olympic-size swimming pool, soccer and basketball fields, and other recreational amenities. The East River Esplanade is a popular spot for joggers, dog owners, and bicyclists. Yorkville is also home to public pools that overlook the East River. There is a footbridge to Randall’s Island with its vast green spaces and cultural outdoor events in the summer, where the Frieze New York Art Show takes place each spring.
Henry Miller’s former neighborhood has been featured in many novels, from Harriet the Spy to The Godfather. The Upper East Side is home to many galleries a bit farther west—and there is always Museum Mile, along Fifth Avenue, with the Metropolitan Museum at its heart. Yorkville also has a few off-the-beaten-path galleries.
What to See in Yorkville?
This small, quiet stretch at the edge of the Upper East Side has seen a building boom with the construction of the Second Avenue subway, with many new luxury high-rise condominiums going up on the corner lots of the main avenues, among them are The East River Tower; York Towers; The Brompton; The Waterford; and The Kent. The sleek 33-story Azure; Cielo on East 83rd Street with its expansive city views; and The Vitre, with its sparkling blue-glass façade, are coveted addresses in the area. Yorkville has become a neighborhood to watch, with steadily ascending real estate market values compared to other neighborhoods in Manhattan. Other brand new high-rises are clustered along 86th Street as well as some classic Beaux Arts apartment buildings and gems like The Cherokee, with its tile-covered arches and ironwork balconies. Elegant prewar buildings can be found on East End Avenue, while some of the city’s oldest mansions and brownstones face Carl Schurz Park and offer great views of the East River. Some of the most beautiful buildings include 10 Gracie Square, numbers 170 and 130 East End Avenue, and number 75 East End Avenue, a limestone palazzo building erected by Vincent Astor.
Where to Eat in Yorkville?
Yorkville has many small bistros and long-time favorites, including German, Czech, Hungarian and Polish restaurants and bakeries, but a bit further west, along Second Avenue, is the center of the neighborhood’s culinary life: infinite restaurant options, many of which offer outdoor seating during the warmer months. On East 78th Street, within walking distance from Yorkville, is another outstanding neighborhood restaurant, Michelin-starred Sushi Noz. A bit farther west, is the acclaimed Michelin-starred French classic Café Boulud.
How Many People Live in Yorkville?
As of 2016, approximately 78,000 people live in Yorkville.
