Callowhill
by Nabewise
Once an industrial mecca for large scale manufacturing, Callowhill’s now characterized by old warehouses from another time. Never fear, though—wherever there are warehouses, there are stunning, spacious lofts just waiting to be born. In fact, so many have popped up already that the nabe’s earning a nickname as the Loft District. Residents here enjoy high ceilings, big windows, and close proximity to Chinatown. There are also whispers that this nabe’s old railroad tracks may one day become a cool public park.
Callowhill Articles and Reviews
Table of Contents
Post-industrial to the max
This is your standard post industrial nabe. Big ass lofts in questionable buildings that are still sorta-kinda-maybe a touch-underpriced and the occasional brave entrpreneur opening some business to cater to the hip lofties moving in. Beyond all that, it’s your typical post-industrial nabe: it’s filthy, its urban as hell, and it’s rather boring still.
Mark J
Lofty Goals
On the verge of hip, Callowhill is New York’s meatpacking district when it still packed meat.
Yes there is a plethora of old industry buildings here, some of which are slowly transforming into uber-cool apartments, but no, they haven’t quite gained enough steam (yet) to transform Callowhill into what NY’s Meatpacking is now: trendy and mostly unaffordable.
Instead, Callowhill is trending slowly (albeit steadily) and maintains a convenient price tag.
The nabe has a lot of potential. It appears more intimidating than it really is. Poorly lit streets and a general feeling of desolation (as it’s isolated by the Vine Street Expressway) make it seem a little bit like you’re in stealth mode of Nintendo’s Golden Eye series, except luckily you aren’t being hunted by Russians.
Don’t despair, there are people already in Callowhill and I’ll bet, with some TLC and a little more time, there are many more to come.
potential, Industrial “charm,” if there is such a thing, near transportation hubs and Chinatown (yum)
It’s industrial “charm” can also be construed as cold, bleak, and univiting. Lacks some amenities.
Hannah R.
cement city will probably be chic soon
still feels super industrial to me—like the way people talk about williamsburg before it was cool. there is lots of cement here, debris, it’s the kind of place that is quite depressing in the winter and hot hot hot in the summer from all the cement. I can of course seeing taking the same path that warehousy neighborhoods often do, it could become a really cool and trendy hotspot in years to come. there are some great restaurants that have moved in here, but they’re not super abundant, and it’s not really a place where ud take a romantic walk to go out to dinner.
i think this area’s more appealing for young people that think urban/industrial blight is cool and want to get a big space for an affordable price. It’s certainly not a good looking area, but who knows what will happen
affordable huge lofts, the winds of change?
it aint pretty—lots of industrial remnants, tons of cement, noise from traffic
Chris T.
Post-industrial to the max
This is your standard post industrial nabe. Big ass lofts in questionable buildings that are still sorta-kinda-maybe a touch-underpriced and the occasional brave entrpreneur opening some business to cater to the hip lofties moving in. Beyond all that, it’s your typical post-industrial nabe: it’s filthy, its urban as hell, and it’s rather boring still.
Mark J.