Ann Street (Manhattan)

Ann Street (Manhattan). Ann Street is a short, historically significant east-west thoroughfare in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. Running from Church Street to Park Row, it lies just north of the World Trade Center site and south of the Brooklyn Bridge approach. The street has evolved from a colonial-era residential lane into a bustling commercial corridor, intimately connected to the development of New York City's early press, theater, and finance.

History

Ann Street's origins trace to the early 18th century, named for Ann White, wife of Thomas White, a prominent local property owner. It was formally laid out as part of the Montgomerie Charter of 1731. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the street was a center for New York's early newspaper and publishing industry, with offices for the New York Evening Post and other presses. The area was also known for its theaters, including the Park Theatre, and later became part of the notorious Five Points slum district. The 19th century saw the construction of the Bennett Building and the New York Times Building, anchoring its shift towards commerce and journalism. Redevelopment in the 20th century, including projects by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, significantly altered its character, though several historic structures remain.

Description and notable sites

Today, Ann Street is characterized by a mix of modern high-rises and preserved 19th-century architecture, serving as a pedestrian-heavy conduit between the World Trade Center complex and City Hall Park. Notable historic buildings include the landmarked Bennett Building at 139 Fulton Street, one of the earliest skyscrapers, and the New York Times Building, an ornate Beaux-Arts structure. The western terminus at Church Street is dominated by the AT&T Building and the African Burial Ground National Monument. The street also provides access to the Manhattan Municipal Building and is adjacent to the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse.

Transportation

Ann Street is primarily served by the New York City Subway, with key stations including the Fulton Street Station complex, which provides transfers to the IRT Lexington Avenue Line, BMT Broadway Line, and IND Eighth Avenue Line. The Chambers Street–World Trade Center station is also nearby. Several MTA Regional Bus Operations bus lines traverse the area, including the M22 along nearby Park Row. The street's proximity to the Brooklyn Bridge and the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel makes it a critical link for vehicular traffic between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.

In popular culture

Ann Street has been featured in numerous literary and cinematic works, often evoking old New York. It appears in the writings of Washington Irving and is referenced in Herman Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener" as part of the story's Wall Street setting. The street's historic theater district and association with the Five Points have made it a backdrop in films like Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York". Its distinctive architecture and location near City Hall have also made it a frequent filming location for television series such as "Law & Order".

Category:Streets in Manhattan