39th Street (Manhattan)

39th Street (Manhattan) is a significant east-west thoroughfare in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City. Stretching approximately one mile from Twelfth Avenue to First Avenue, it traverses the vibrant neighborhoods of Hell's Kitchen and Murray Hill. The street is a crucial conduit for regional traffic, hosting the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel, and is lined with a diverse mix of commercial, residential, and institutional buildings that reflect the area's rich history and modern dynamism.

Geography and description

39th Street runs across the full width of Midtown Manhattan, beginning at the Hudson River waterfront near Twelfth Avenue and terminating at the East River near First Avenue. It bisects the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood to the west and enters Murray Hill to the east, passing just north of the New York Public Library Main Branch and Bryant Park. The street's path is interrupted between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue by the private blocks of the New York Public Library and the Morgan Library & Museum, creating a pedestrian-friendly enclave. This routing places it in close proximity to major hubs like the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the Empire State Building.

History

The street's development followed the implementation of the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, which established the Manhattan street grid. Throughout the 19th century, the area west of Eighth Avenue was largely industrial and residential, part of the rough-and-tumble Hell's Kitchen district. A pivotal transformation occurred with the opening of the Lincoln Tunnel in 1937, whose entrance plaza occupies several blocks along 39th Street between Ninth Avenue and Tenth Avenue. This engineering marvel, built by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, cemented the street's role as a critical regional transportation artery. The eastern section has long been associated with New York's publishing and diamond districts.

Transportation

39th Street is a primary feeder route for the Lincoln Tunnel, connecting Manhattan to Weehawken, New Jersey and the New Jersey Turnpike. This makes it one of the most congested truck and commuter routes in the city. The street is served by several New York City Bus lines, including the M11, M12, M34A-SBS, and M42. While no New York City Subway lines run directly underneath, the Times Square–42nd Street/Port Authority Bus Terminal station complex, serving the IRT Flushing Line, IND Eighth Avenue Line, and other routes, is immediately accessible to the north. The western terminus is adjacent to the Hudson River Park and ferry terminals.

Notable buildings and landmarks

The street features an array of architecturally and culturally significant structures. The western end is dominated by the sprawling Port Authority Bus Terminal and the modernist facade of the Lincoln Tunnel ventilation building. Notable buildings include the Church of the Holy Apostles on Ninth Avenue, the historic Engine Company 54 firehouse, and the New York Public Library's Mid-Manhattan Library building. The eastern section is home to the Williams Club, the Durst Organization's 1133 Avenue of the Americas tower, and several pre-war loft buildings now occupied by publishing firms and technology companies. The Morgan Library & Museum campus extends to the block south of 39th Street.

In popular culture

39th Street has served as a backdrop in numerous films and television series, often depicting the gritty energy of Hell's Kitchen or the tense traffic of the tunnel approach. It has appeared in scenes from The French Connection, Midnight Cowboy, and Spider-Man 2. The street's firehouses and the Port Authority Bus Terminal have been featured in episodes of Law & Order and The Sopranos. Its proximity to the Diamond District and the fashion industry has also made it a location for stories about New York City commerce and crime in various media.

Category:Streets in Manhattan