Is there more to New York’s Financial District than just office space?

New York’s Financial District; a hotbed of office space which is home, unsurprisingly, to many of the city’s major financial organisations. The New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York can both be found in this area of Manhattan, as could the World Trade Centre before 9/11.

 With up to nearly 250,000 workers flocking to the Financial District everyday; it’s apparent that the main hub of the area revolves around office space and business but is there more to the area than just commercial real estate?

 It might come as a shock to some but the area’s beginning to shake off its “daytime trader” and New York office worker image. Yes, its name will always be associated with the image but the Financial District is starting to become a place where you can do a lot more than just trade shares and file reports.

 The Financial District is fast growing into major residential area in Manhattan. In fact, 56,000 Americans already regard the area as their home. At the beginning of 2000, some of the area’s vast repertoires of office space buildings were converted into apartments and real estate, resulting in an influx of young professionals and corporate residents.

And it’s not only home owners the Financial District is attracting. Tourists have also begun to flock to the area. Key tourist attractions in the Financial District include the South Street Seaport Historic District, the New York City Police Department and the Museum of American Finance. Just out of the District lies more tourist attractions such as the Skyscraper Museum and the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

 Currently it seems the Financial District of the 21st century consists of much more than just a Financial District office base. OK, so like I said earlier it’s clear the New York Financial District is never going to be able to shake off its reputation, after all the Financial District is commonly used a synonym for Wall Street, but it seems like it’s made a pretty good start. So, next time you’re looking for something to do in Manhattan, why not take a wander around the Financial District? You could encounter more than just flash business men and smart suits!