Tenth Avenue

Tenth Avenue is a major north-south thoroughfare on the West Side of Manhattan in New York City. It runs approximately 5.2 miles from West Street in the Greenwich Village neighborhood north to Dyckman Street in Inwood. Historically associated with the New York Central Railroad's freight operations, the avenue has undergone significant transformation and is now a vital corridor featuring residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Route description

The avenue begins at the intersection of West Street and Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District, just south of the High Line's southern terminus. It proceeds north through the neighborhoods of Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen, and the Upper West Side. The route passes notable landmarks such as the Chelsea Piers sports complex and the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. North of 59th Street, it runs adjacent to Riverside Park and Riverside Drive, offering views of the Hudson River and the Palisades in New Jersey. The avenue terminates at Dyckman Street near the Dyckman House museum and the Henry Hudson Parkway.

History

The avenue's path was established as part of the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, which laid out the Manhattan street grid. In the 19th century, it became infamous as "Death Avenue" due to frequent and lethal collisions between New York Central Railroad freight trains and street traffic. This led to the construction of the High Line, an elevated freight rail line, which opened in 1934 to separate trains from the street. The decline of rail freight led to the line's abandonment, and it was later reinvented as an elevated park. The West Side Highway project and later redevelopments like Battery Park City altered traffic patterns. The neighborhood of Hell's Kitchen transformed from a rough industrial area into a more residential district, with the avenue playing a key role in the West Side's ongoing gentrification.

Major intersections

From south to north, Tenth Avenue intersects with many of Manhattan's major east-west arteries. Significant cross streets include 14th Street at the entrance to the Chelsea Market, 23rd Street near the Chelsea Piers, and 34th Street by the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. It meets 42nd Street in the Theater District and 57th Street at the southern edge of Columbus Circle. Further north, it crosses 72nd Street, 86th Street, and 110th Street, which marks the boundary of Central Park. The northernmost major intersections are with 125th Street in Harlem and Dyckman Street at its terminus.

Transportation

The avenue is served by several New York City Subway lines, primarily the IND Eighth Avenue Line which runs under Eighth Avenue but has stations accessible from Tenth Avenue, such as 14th Street and 34th Street–Penn Station. The IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line also has stations nearby, including 72nd Street. Multiple MTA Regional Bus Operations bus routes run along the avenue, including the M11 and M12. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates the Lincoln Tunnel entrance nearby, feeding traffic onto the avenue. The revitalized High Line park now functions as a major pedestrian corridor above the street.

Notable places

The avenue is lined with numerous significant sites and institutions. The southern end is anchored by the Whitney Museum of American Art and the start of the High Line. The Chelsea Piers complex provides sports facilities and has been featured in films like Raging Bull. The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center hosts major events such as the New York International Auto Show. Cultural venues include the Joyce Theater and the School of American Ballet. Residential landmarks include the London Terrace apartments and the Apthorp building. The northern stretches offer access to Riverside Park and the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument.

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