A Day in Hamilton Heights

Anyone who has seen the musical Hamilton is likely to have gained a deeper understanding of one of the most complex characters in American politics. Living in the neighborhood, you will understand the Founding Father even more. Hamilton lived in Hamilton Heights the final two years of his glorious and tragic life.
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Riverside State Park

The Riverside State Park starts at 72nd Street on the Upper West Side and ends at 158th Street in Washington Heights, with the Hudson River persistently alongside. But the prime section of the park is located just blocks from your newest NYC apartment. The early morning runs, or walks, will ease your mind as you start the day. The park is widely considered the most scenic park in Manhattan. It is officially designated as one of eight scenic landmarks in the city, offering gorgeous views of the river and the New Jersey shoreline. The greenery is magnificent, with more than 134 acres to explore. Some of the most known points of interest include the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. The park also offers many sporting facilities, with kayak access, and a skating rink.

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Hamilton Grange National Memorial

As you probably know, there’s a hit Broadway musical called Hamilton that tracks the life and times of one of the founding fathers of the United States, Alexander Hamilton. In Hamilton Heights, there’s a beautiful landmark home called Hamilton Grange National Memorial. This isn’t the home’s first location — the original was in Convent Avenue. It has been relocated three times: once to Greenwich Village, then to St. Nicholas Park in the 1960’s and finally it moved again to its current location in 2006. The two-story, white Federal-style house was completed in 1802, just two years before Hamilton’s death following a duel with Aaron Burr. The home was named “The Grange” after Hamilton’s grandfather’s estate in Scotland. Today, the house has been preserved and renovated to resemble its original condition and it is open to public for tours.

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Audubon Mural Project

Most of the city has been taken by storm by visionary street artwork. It’s quite evident when you walk down Audubon Street that Hamilton Heights is not immune to the trend. The entire street has become a walking art exhibit. Dubbed the Audubon Mural Project and curated by the National Audubon Society, the street is filled with glitzy and elaborate artwork that spans two 4-story high buildings. The majority of the art pieces center around an environmental theme – more specifically, America’s birds. So you will see plenty of eagles, seagulls and cardinals with bright and fluorescent colors splattered about.

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Hamilton Landmark Galleries

Up-and-coming artists have slowly transformed the neighborhood into a major destination for contemporary artwork. This is clearly reflected at the Hamilton Landmark Galleries, located at 467 West 144th Street at Amsterdam Avenue. The artist haven, run by the Harlem Arts Alliance, was established in 1997 and has carried some of the best contemporary art. The institution has presented works of more than 70 painters, sculptors, ceramists and photographers from around the globe.

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The Chipped Cup

The first meal of the day should always include a baked good and some hot brew. My two cents. The best place that offers the best of both worlds in Hamilton Heights is The Chipped Cup. The charming little coffee shop features some rustic ambiance and details like exposed brick walls and tables and chairs made of wood. The shop brews Rustico and Counter Culture coffee. The baked goods come from Ceci-Cela Patisserie, and include tasty apple turnovers, bagels, croissants and danishes.

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Village Fried Chicken

The best eats are the local eats. Lunch at Village Fried Chicken is a true hidden gem that you won’t be disappointed to have discovered. The family-owned chicken spot cooks up some of the best fried chicken you will ever sample. The prices are beyond affordable. You could get a 12-piece box with mashed potatoes, salad and six rolls for $12. Today, you decide to stick to the 3-piece chicken box.

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Hamilton Heights Historic District

Hamilton Heights was the home of the Founding Father Alexander Hamilton when it was farmland. But the neighborhood continued to grow and grow, and today, much of the area is landmarked. The Hamilton Heights Historic District consists of more than 192 residential row houses, apartments buildings and churches that were built between 1886 and 1931. The majority of the buildings are 3- and 4-story brick row houses that are set behind raised stone terraces. The district also has several landmark churches – St. Luke’s, the Convent Avenue Baptist Church and the St. James Presbyterian Church. Most of the buildings’ architects deployed varied architectural styles, ranging from Queen Anne, to Romanesque and Beaux-Arts.

A Night in Hamilton Heights

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The Royal Tenenbaum House

As you walk past 144th Street and Convent Avenue, you take a double look at the Romanesque building that stands out on the corner. That’s likely because you’ve seen it on the big screen. The building was the major set piece for the 2001 critically acclaimed movie "The Royal Tenenbaums.” The Royal Tenenbaum House was in fact unoccupied when director Wes Anderson was scouting locations – most of them in Brooklyn. Anderson rented the building for six months and shot several exterior and interior scenes at the location. Today, the building is occupied and remains pristine.

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Harlem Public

The bars in Hamilton Heights have steadily become more and more trendy, including, for example, Hogshead Tavern. The headliner in these parts though is Harlem Public. The craft bar has some tasty cocktails, The Public Snap (Sailor Jerry rum, snap liquor, fresh ginger and lemon) being the standout. The most interesting twist with Harlem Public is the fact that they dedicate an entire section to New York-based small batch liquors. There are 10 choices on the list, including Widow Jane Bourbon, Hillrock Double Cast Rye, Hillrock Single Malt, Hillrock Solera Bourbon and Brooklyn Gin.

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The Grange Bar and Eatery

The first dinner in your new stomping grounds will be at The Grange Bar and Eatery. The farm-to-table gastropub is a 74-seat gem. First off, the interior is set to resemble a farmer’s kitchen with reclaimed-wood exposed beams and, of course, a locally-driven menu. There’s even a small beer garden in the back. Some of the best choices on the menu include the pan seared arctic char (served with scallion risotto cake, romesco, balsamic roasted cremini mushrooms, bok choy and pine nuts). There’s also a 16-oz Porterhouse pork chop (prepared with creamy polenta, peach and corn chutney). For drinks, the restaurant offers a small but strong beer selection such as Magic Hat No. 9’s Apricot Ale or large-format Chimay Grande Reserve.

Words by Arte Vincent

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Erik Serras
Erik Serras
Principal Broker
Residential Division
Office: 718.840.2757
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