Here in the Financial District is Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, the Federal Reserve and the headquarters of many of the largest financial institutions in the world. And of course, the neighbourhood is packed with executives who are always busy and always in a great hurry. Even so, there are small lanes where you can take refuge and, just for a moment, escape this frenetic pace that is so typical of New York and is frequently mocked and parodied in TV series and on the big screen.
Many of these lanes are perfect for a stroll, but Stone Street is the indisputable favourite among these executives who want to slow down from time to time, grab a bite to eat or even have a drink after work.
In fact, an entire area of the Financial District has been named after this street. Stone Street Historic District is basically made up of this street, Pearl Street, South William Street and Coenties Alley. To truly understand this mini historic neighbourhood within the Financial District, you need to know that Stone Street formerly ran from Broadway to Hanover Square, but was divided into two in the 1980s following the construction of a large building belonging to Goldman Sachs, one of the largest and most valuable investment banking groups in the world.
Of the two sections of Stone Street, the most endearing is the one furthest to the east, next to Hanover Square, which is pedestrian and always lively. In summer, it is full of the pavement restaurants and cafés, and although there aren't so many tables and chairs outside in winter, the premises are always lively inside.
But Stone Street was not always Stone Street. Very early in the history of New York City, around the year 1640, this street was known as the High Street. It was then joined to Brewers Street in around 1655, and was paved in 1658 due to residents' complaints about the conditions in the area. In fact, there are documents that state that this was the first paved street in New Amsterdam, which was renamed New York in 1667. Later, under British rule, the street was called Duke Street, and the New Yorkers themselves finally decided to call it Stone Street in 1794. After the Great Fire of 1835 destroyed much of the area, it was rebuilt with warehouses for merchants, shops and other premises due to its proximity to the port area. It was not a popular area during the rest of the 19th century and the early 20th century, but thanks to the Eno family, who were known for their real-estate business in Manhattan, it was rebuilt and remodelled in a Dutch architectural style, and filled with bars and restaurants that provide the ideal place to stop if you're sightseeing in New York's Financial District.
