Going a bit off topic here, but I thought I’d post anyway because it involves tenement apartments, the Lower East Side and gentrification, and who doesn’t love to read on gentrification?
The New York Times’ City Room Blog recently had an entry on the topic of gentrification and the Lower East Side. The blog entry is a sort of recap on a recent discussion that had been organized by historians in order to address the topic of the LES and its transformation from what once was considered a landing spot for recently arrived poor immigrants, to what it is today.
As many of us know, some of the tenement apartments on the LES have undergone major renovations and now are marketed to an entirely different demographic. An example from the entry mentions $3500 for the same apartment once occupied by poor immigrants. Well, at that price, I hope it's not entirely the same apartment.
Gentrification can get ugly. A panelist that took part in the organized discussion is quoted as stating that new residents have amnesia because they’re not in touch with the historic roots of their current dwellings. However, in the comments section, he goes on to say that his words were misstated. Another panelist said that the LES’ history is what may be drawing high income newcomers to the area.
I have to admit that today’s LES is much different from the LES of my childhood, but is this area really becoming a hot spot for the rich? Hmmmmm……..
The Lower East Side’s Changing Fortunes