I love the Lower East Side. It’s not a conventionally beautiful neighborhood, but if you open your eyes, there is unconventional beauty all around you. Spraypaint, graffiti, scaffolding – it all creates a character that is distinctively unique to the Lower East Side. As one of Manhattan’s oldest neighborhoods, the Lower East Side is rich in history and culture, and has been home to many immigrant populations over the years (most notably, the Jewish population, still represented by neighborhood staples such as Katz’s Delicatessen and Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery). Immigrants were followed by hipsters and the Lower East Side has become a center for art, music and a new emerging culture. Over the last decade, the Lower East side has undergone rapid gentrification and, while still rich in history, is quickly being populated by trendy bars and luxury apartment buildings. Nestled in this little pocket on the southeastern tip of Manhattan are some of the best kept secret restaurants, bakeries, bars and vintage clothing stores. This photo diary is my attempt to capture the beauty and essence of one of my favorite New York neighborhoods.
Stay tuned for additional posts detailing some of the Lower East Side’s hidden gems!
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