Welcome to the first video tour in our two part series

dedicated to the Flatiron District,

here in Manhattan, New York.

Here in the Flatiron District,

you'll find this historic neighborhood is today

a thriving retail district.

But you might be wondering

why it's called the Flatiron.

To answer that question,

head over to175 Fifth Ave

where you'll find a beautiful and curious structure

known as the Flatiron building.

This ground breaking skyscraper

was one of the tallest buildings in the city

when it was completed in 1902.

Once it was finished New Yorker's began referring to it

as the Flatiron due to the triangular block it sits on,

looking very much like an old fashioned flat iron.

The Flatiron District is roughly bounded

by 20th Street to the south,

Sixth Avenue to the west,

26th Street to the north,

and Lexington Avenue to the east.

We'll begin our tour here on 5th Avenue.

This stretch of high end retailers along Fifth Avenue

drew in the most fashionable women of the late 1890s.

In fact, prior to being known as the Flatiron District,

it was known as "Ladies Mile"

and later on "The Toy District"

because of the Toy Center Building

located on at 23rd St and Broadway.

When the district started becoming more commercialized

in the 1890's, residents started moving further uptown,

selling their brownstones, like this one, to small businesses.

Today the Ladies Mile may not have

the glamour and glitz it had in the past,

but it has gained its retail shopping identity

and is now a New York City Historic District.

Come here to shop for clothes,

home goods and small boutique items.

Named for President James Madison,

Madison Square was opened to the public in 1847

and was the focal point

of one of Manhattan's most elite neighborhoods.

If you'd like to experience the Flatiron District

like a true local,

you should definitely rent a vacation rental

or furnished apartment from New York Habitat.

There's no better way to experience this city

than to live in a real New York apartment.

The heart of the Flatiron District

is undoubtedly Madison Square Park.

It's a great place to spend a day outdoors.

This brownstone behind me at 28 East 20th Street

was the home of Theodore Roosevelt.

Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States,

was born here on October 27, 1858.

His childhood home is open for tours during the week.

Check out the official website for details.

Well, that's a wrap of the first episode

of our tour of the Flatiron District.

Feel free to leave a comment below

and share with us some of your favorite spots

in the neighborhood.

And if you're coming to New York,

be sure to visit our website at nyhabitat.com

and book a vacation rental or furnished apartment

with New York Habitat.

You'll find furnished apartments

all over Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.

I'm David Hill with New York Habitat.

Thank you for watching our New York Video tour

and we hope to see you soon in the Big Apple!