New York City's Stylish Micro-Neighborhood Is 'An Elevated Island Of Calm' In Bustling Midtown

In a city of over 8 million people like New York, it can be hard to find pockets of peace. However, nestled between Grand Central Station, one of the most beautiful train stations in America, and the United Nations Headquarters on the East River is a historic residential community blessed with elegant Tudor Revival architecture and plenty of leafy green space: Tudor City. Once farmland perched above the river and later tenement housing, the area of Tudor City was identified as prime real estate after Grand Central Station opened in 1913, and Midtown Manhattan became the hub of New York business. Here, developer Fred French envisioned a new neighborhood of upscale apartment buildings. The neighborhood is defined as the three blocks from 40th to 43rd Streets, between 1st and 2nd Avenues. 

Anchored by 13 buildings housing apartments and one hotel, the Tudor City neighborhood offers a marked departure from the bustle of its bordering avenues. Tudor City broke ground in New York in 1926, and the last building was completed in 1956. Today, Tudor City is a coveted New York community, housing about 5,000 residents. Also within Tudor City are two landscaped parks and the Tudor City Steakhouse. Referred to as "an elevated island of calm within Midtown East" by CityNeighborhoods, Tudor City is a refined haven akin to a high-rise version of an English village, all within close proximity to New York's many treasures. 

Though it feels like a private oasis in Midtown, anyone can stroll through Tudor City and enjoy its genteel atmosphere. It is about a 10-minute walk from Grand Central, a 30-minute drive from LaGuardia Airport, and an 80-minute drive from John F. Kennedy International Airport.

In the center heart of Tudor City's residential buildings are the Tudor City Greens, twin parks divided by 42nd Street that have been beautifully laid out with gravel paths, benches, and lamp posts. In the South Park, oak trees, Japanese maples, linden trees, cherry trees, and others create a canopy of green, while seasonal blooms of hydrangeas and lenten roses add a burst of color. In the North Park, you'll discover a variety of magnolia species and dogwoods, as well as vivid tulips, forsythia plantings, and English ivy. Due to their tucked-away nature, these parks are uncrowded and seem like a hidden secret just steps from the chaos of 2nd Avenue. Residents and non-residents alike are welcome to stroll through the parks from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Exiting the North Park, stroll towards 1st Avenue on 43rd Street as the United Nations Headquarters, a strikingly mirrored tower along the East River, rises above you. Descend the flight of stairs that faces the landmarked Isaiah Wall, part of Ralph Bunche Park, which is inscribed with the Biblical verse of Isaiah 2:4. If you want to visit the United Nations, guided tours are open to the public and offered during the week in a variety of languages. Heading back up the staircase to Tudor City, make a left onto Tudor City Place and cross the Tudor City Bridge over 42nd Street to see the wide thoroughfare flanked by skyscrapers, such as the Chrysler Building. From the bridge, you can witness the phenomenon of 'Manhattanhenge' twice a year when New York's spectacular urban canyon sunset offers surreal beauty.

If you want to experience Tudor City without the financial commitment (according to Realtor, the median home sale price in Tudor City is around $486,500, and the median rental price is $2,700), you can stay at the Westgate New York Grand Central. The hotel was originally built as Hotel Tudor in the 1930sand reopened as the Westgate New York Grand Central in 2018. The nearly 300 rooms and suites are spacious with Art Deco-inspired design touches, and some even feature private balconies, a real treat in New York. While there is no proper restaurant, there is the Tudor City Tavern bar for classic cocktails and light bites. From Westgate New York Grand Central's comfortable and historic base, you can easily explore Tudor City and other nearby highlights, such as SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, which is totally worth braving the crowds for a spectacular 360 sunset.

Tudor City is also home to the Tudor City Steakhouse, which opened in 2017 as a new incarnation of the original Tudor City Restaurant from the development's beginnings. In its elegant dining rooms, you can begin with indulgent starters like the seafood platter or lobster cocktail, before enjoying Iceberg or Caesar salads. Steakhouse specialties are on the menu, such as filet mignon, prime New York sirloin, or the 45-ounce porterhouse. Other options include burgers, chicken parmigiana, fresh Dover sole, or penne bolognese. There is also a range of expected steakhouse sides like mac and cheese, creamed corn, and baked potatoes. End the meal with a classic New York cheesecake or apple cobbler. For those who don't want a full meal, there is an all-day happy hour at the bar with beers, wines, and sangria, as well as delicious bar snacks.