Meet 35th Street
Walking past both the Chinese and the Malta Missions on the east side of 35th Street was encouraging as I realized that I am rapidly approaching a worldly district, diplomatically speaking. It won’t be long before I am in the 40’s and in United Nations territory – a major milestone on our sidewinding journey. Saint Vartan Park, opened under a different name in 1904, is a full block of greenery and recreation – the only public park that exists throughout the 30s. Walking from Lexington to Park Avenue, I was impressed by one regal townhouse after another. Crossing Park Avenue, adjacent to the Community Church of New York, I gazed up and found the unassuming Gallery 35. Its space houses the work of a diverse collective of artists, and represents a symbiotic relationship between its patron church and the artists themselves.
I am yet to meet a street that does not offer at least one or two friendly bars and restaurants to visit. Crossing Fifth Avenue, a few pubs serve as watering holes for the professionals and locals of the area. O’Reilly’s (Lost Gem), The Playwright Irish Pub and The Liberty were the few that stood out to the Manhattan Sideways team. A bit farther west is the Monarch Rooftop, which offers a more upscale approach to a similar pastime, as well as a captivating view of the Empire State Building.
The New York Golf Center sits just west of the pedestrian-heavy Herald Square, in an area defined largely by the monumental Macy’s department store on 34th. The golf shop is a pleasure to visit for aficionados and newbies alike, offering great exuberance and expertise for the game. At Seventh – also known at this point as Fashion Ave – I found myself in the midst of the Garment District and its wholesale fabric trade. Thus, it came as no surprise when I walked into store after store displaying an array of textiles.
As has been the case with the last few streets, the westernmost reaches of 35th are in the throes of development, ending at the crystalline Javitz Center, the proverbial light at the end of our tunnel.