Kips Bay

Kips Bay
Name	Kips Bay
Settlement type	Neighborhood
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	New York
Subdivision type2	City
Subdivision name2	New York City
Subdivision type3	Borough
Subdivision name3	Manhattan
Subdivision type4	Community District
Subdivision name4	Manhattan 6
Named for	Jacobus Hendrickson Kip
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	10010, 10016
Area code	212, 332, 646, 917

Kips Bay is a residential and commercial neighborhood located on the East Side of Manhattan in New York City. It is named for the 17th-century Dutch settler Jacobus Hendrickson Kip, whose farm and tidal inlet once dominated the area. Today, the neighborhood is known for its high-rise apartment buildings, major medical institutions, and as a central corridor for cross-town traffic.

History

The area's history begins with the purchase of land from the Lenape by Dutch colonists, with the Kip family establishing a large farm in the mid-1600s. It was the site of the Landing at Kip's Bay during the Revolutionary War in 1776, a significant British victory that led to the capture of New York City. Throughout the 19th century, the bay was filled in, transforming the area from a marshy coastline into solid land for development. The neighborhood later became a center for the Gilded Age Gaslight Era, with the construction of numerous brownstones and the rise of the adjacent Gramercy Park and Murray Hill districts. The 20th century saw a dramatic shift with the construction of the FDR Drive and the arrival of large-scale institutional and residential projects.

Geography and boundaries

Kips Bay is generally considered to be bounded by 23rd Street to the north, 34th Street to the south, the East River to the east, and roughly Third Avenue or Park Avenue South to the west. This places it between the neighborhoods of Murray Hill to the south, Rose Hill and Gramercy Park to the west, and Tudor City and the United Nations Headquarters district to the north. The primary thoroughfares include First Avenue and Second Avenue, which are major north-south routes.

Demographics

The population of Kips Bay is a mix of long-term residents, professionals, and students affiliated with its many institutions. It is part of Manhattan Community Board 6, and its ZIP Codes are primarily 10016 and 10010. The area has a high density of residential buildings, ranging from pre-war apartments to modern high-rises, attracting a diverse demographic. The presence of NYU Langone Health and Bellevue Hospital also contributes to a significant population of medical professionals, researchers, and support staff.

Landmarks and notable buildings

Kips Bay is dominated by major medical and educational institutions, most notably the sprawling complex of NYU Langone Health, which includes the Tisch Hospital and the Kimmel Pavilion. The historic Bellevue Hospital, the oldest public hospital in the United States, is a key anchor. The Manhattan VA Hospital is also located here. Notable residential buildings include the London Terrace Gardens complex on its western edge and the Kips Bay Towers, a landmark of modernist design by I. M. Pei and James Ingo Freed. The Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club is a longstanding community institution.

Transportation

The neighborhood is served by the New York City Subway via the F, M at the 23rd Street station, and the 6 train at the 28th Street and 33rd Street stations. Major bus routes run along First Avenue, Second Avenue, and Third Avenue. The FDR Drive provides vehicular access to Lower Manhattan and the Bronx. The 34th Street Ferry Landing offers NYC Ferry service to Long Island City and Williamsburg.

In popular culture

Kips Bay has been featured or referenced in various films and television series, often for its hospital settings or its quintessential New York City streetscapes. The neighborhood's name carries historical weight, frequently invoked in discussions of the American Revolutionary War. The annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a prestigious interior design fundraiser, is a notable event covered by publications like Architectural Digest and The New York Times.

Category:Neighborhoods in Manhattan