Living on the Bowery
Where five of downtown Manhattan's best neighborhoods meet
Living on the Bowery puts you at the meeting point of the Lower East Side, Nolita, SoHo, NoHo and the East Village, with galleries, landmark restaurants, boutique condominiums and seven subway lines all close by. Here's what each neighborhood is like, what kinds of homes you'll find, and a rare condo with a private terrace that's available now as a Compass Private Exclusive.
I · The Bowery
What's it like to live on the Bowery?
You're at the crossroads of downtown. The Bowery is one of Manhattan's oldest streets, once lined with theaters and music halls and later home to the legendary CBGB. Today it's a boulevard of galleries, design shops, boutique hotels and restaurants, anchored by the New Museum.
Near East Houston Street, the Lower East Side stretches to the east, the East Village to the north, NoHo to the northwest, and Nolita and SoHo to the west. Living here means each of them is part of your everyday neighborhood.
II · The Neighborhoods
How do the Lower East Side, Nolita, SoHo, NoHo and East Village compare?
Each has its own character and housing stock. The Lower East Side and NoHo lean toward boutique condos and new development, Nolita toward intimate prewar buildings, and SoHo toward its famous loft co-ops and luxury condos.
Neighborhood | Known for | Typical homes | Subway |
|---|---|---|---|
Lower East Side | Galleries, nightlife and tenement-era streets like Orchard, Ludlow and Rivington, plus Essex Market | Boutique condos, co-ops and new development | F, J, M, Z at Delancey–Essex |
Nolita | Boutiques and cafés on Mulberry, Mott and Elizabeth Streets around St. Patrick's Old Cathedral | Low-rise prewar co-ops and boutique condos | 6 at Spring St, R and W at Prince St |
SoHo | Cast-iron architecture, cobblestone Greene and Mercer Streets and flagship shopping | Loft co-ops and luxury condos | C, E and 6 at Spring St, R and W at Prince St |
NoHo | Landmarked loft buildings on Bond, Great Jones and Lafayette Streets | Loft condos and new boutique buildings | 6 at Bleecker St, B, D, F, M at Broadway–Lafayette |
East Village | Restaurants on Second Avenue, St. Marks Place and Tompkins Square Park | Co-ops, condos and townhouses | F at Second Ave, 6 at Astor Pl, L at First and Third Aves |
Searching on the Lower East Side, Nolita or SoHo? Contact Darrell Williams for homes that aren't on the open market yet.
III · Featured Home
Is there a downtown condo with a private terrace available now?
Yes, a two-bedroom, two-bath condo at 263 Bowery with an expansive east-facing private terrace. A keyed elevator opens directly into the home, and the boutique building has only four residences, a combination of privacy and outdoor space that's rare anywhere on the Lower East Side, Nolita or SoHo. It's offered as a Compass Private Exclusive, with pricing shared on request.
- Location263 Bowery, near East Houston Street
- HomeTwo bedrooms, two baths, about 1,337 sq ft
- OutdoorExpansive east-facing private terrace
- AccessPrivate, keyed elevator entry
- FinishesWalnut-veneer kitchen, Caesarstone, Viking appliances, Zuma soaking tub
- BuildingBoutique condominium built in 2009, with only four residences, a virtual doorman, roof deck and pets allowed
- PriceAvailable on request
Details from the Compass listing. Square footage is approximate.
IV · Getting Around
What subway lines serve the Bowery area?
Seven lines stop within a few blocks of East Houston Street and the Bowery, with more at Delancey–Essex on the Lower East Side.
V · Around the Corner
Where to eat, shop and unwind near the Bowery?
Some of downtown's most iconic food, music and art, from century-old Lower East Side institutions to Nolita favorites.
Dine
- Katz's Delicatessen205 E Houston St at Ludlow
The pastrami institution since 1888 - Russ & Daughters179 E Houston St
Smoked fish and bagels, a Lower East Side classic - Prince Street Pizza27 Prince St
Nolita's famous square slices
Drink and dance
- FreemansFreemans Alley, off Rivington St
A hidden tavern at the end of an alley - The Bowery Hotel335 Bowery
Lobby bar and Gemma restaurant - Bowery Ballroom6 Delancey St
One of the city's best small music venues
Art and culture
- New Museum235 Bowery
Contemporary art, a short way down the Bowery - Bowery galleriesBowery and the Lower East Side
Dozens of contemporary galleries - Sara D. Roosevelt ParkChrystie to Forsyth St
Gardens, courts and green space
Commute
- Second AvenueHouston St
F train - Broadway–Lafayette and Bleecker StNear Lafayette St
B, D, F, M and 6 trains - Prince StreetAt Broadway
R and W trains
Searching on the Lower East Side, Nolita or SoHo? Contact Darrell Williams for homes that aren't on the open market yet.
VI · Questions
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Bowery?
The Bowery runs north from Chinatown to Cooper Square in Lower Manhattan. Its stretch near East Houston Street sits where the Lower East Side, Nolita, NoHo, the East Village and SoHo all meet.
Is the Bowery part of the Lower East Side?
The east side of the Bowery is generally considered part of the Lower East Side, while the blocks to the west border Nolita and NoHo. North of Houston Street, the Bowery runs between the East Village and NoHo.
What's the difference between Nolita and SoHo?
Nolita is smaller and more residential, with low-rise prewar buildings, boutiques and cafés on Mulberry, Mott and Elizabeth Streets. SoHo, to the west, is known for its cast-iron loft buildings, cobblestone streets and flagship stores along Broadway, Prince and Spring Streets.
What kind of homes can I buy on the Lower East Side?
A mix of boutique condominiums, co-ops and new development, many in smaller buildings with just a handful of homes. Homes with private outdoor space are especially sought-after.
Are there condos with private terraces on the Lower East Side or Bowery?
Yes, though they're rare. One current example is a two-bedroom, two-bath condo at 263 Bowery with an expansive east-facing private terrace and keyed elevator entry, offered as a Compass Private Exclusive.
What subway lines serve the Lower East Side, Nolita and SoHo?
The F, J, M and Z stop at Delancey–Essex on the Lower East Side. Nolita and SoHo are served by the 6 at Spring Street, the R and W at Prince Street and the C and E at Spring Street, and the B, D, F and M stop at Broadway–Lafayette.
What is a Compass Private Exclusive?
A Private Exclusive is a home that's offered for sale privately through Compass agents before, or instead of, being marketed publicly. It gives buyers a chance to see a home before it reaches the open market.
How do I find off-market homes in the Lower East Side, Nolita or SoHo?
Many downtown homes trade privately before they're ever publicly listed. Contact Darrell Williams to hear about homes on the Bowery, the Lower East Side, Nolita and SoHo as they become available.
Looking for a home on the Bowery, the Lower East Side, Nolita or SoHo? Contact Darrell Williams for a private showing, or view my Compass profile and listings.
