Ninth Avenue

Ninth Avenue is a major north-south thoroughfare on the West Side of Manhattan in New York City. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District north to Columbus Circle at the southwestern corner of Central Park. The avenue is a vital commercial and residential corridor, passing through historic neighborhoods such as Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen, and is a key route for the MTA bus network and the former IRT Ninth Avenue Line.

Geography and route

Ninth Avenue originates at the intersection of Gansevoort Street and Little West 12th Street in the Meatpacking District, just west of the High Line park. It proceeds north through Chelsea, where it is flanked by numerous art galleries, the Chelsea Market, and the General Theological Seminary. The avenue continues through the Garment District and the theater-rich area of Hell's Kitchen, also known as Clinton. Its northern terminus is at Columbus Circle, a major traffic rotary and public space anchored by the Time Warner Center and the Museum of Arts and Design, facing the entrance to Central Park at Merchant's Gate.

History

The avenue's path was formalized under the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, which established the Manhattan street grid. In the 19th century, it became a major transportation artery with the opening of the IRT Ninth Avenue Line, one of the first elevated railway lines in the city, which operated from 1868 until 1940. The area around the avenue in Hell's Kitchen was historically known for gang activity and tenement housing, as depicted in works like West Side Story. Significant redevelopment occurred in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, particularly with the transformation of the High Line from an abandoned rail line into a public park and the subsequent gentrification of surrounding neighborhoods.

Landmarks and notable sites

Notable sites along Ninth Avenue include the Chelsea Market, a bustling food hall and retail complex housed in the former National Biscuit Company factory, and the General Theological Seminary, the oldest Episcopal seminary in the United States. The High Line park runs parallel to the avenue for several blocks, offering elevated views and green space. In Hell's Kitchen, the avenue is lined with diverse restaurants and off-Broadway theaters. The northern end features Columbus Circle, with its iconic Columbus Monument, the Time Warner Center, and the Museum of Arts and Design.

Transportation

Ninth Avenue is a major bus corridor served by several MTA New York City Bus routes, including the M11 and M20. It was formerly the route of the IRT Ninth Avenue Line, an elevated railway whose removal in 1940 changed the streetscape. The avenue provides access to multiple New York City Subway stations, including those serving the IND Eighth Avenue Line and the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line. It is also a key street for the annual Ninth Avenue International Food Festival, one of the largest food festivals in the United States, which closes the avenue to vehicular traffic.

In popular culture

Ninth Avenue has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and literary works, often representing the gritty energy of West Side Manhattan. It serves as a backdrop in films like Taxi Driver and Ghostbusters, and the neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen is central to the plot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe series Daredevil. The avenue is also referenced in the lyrics of Billy Joel's song Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway), and its annual food festival has been highlighted on shows such as The Today Show.

Category:Streets in Manhattan Category:North–South streets in Manhattan