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New York City, New York / History

St. Mark’s Place

A cultural heart of the East Village, St. Mark’s Place blends 19th-century elegance with a gritty history of counterculture, jazz, and artistic expression within a designated historic district.

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St. Mark’s Place
Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0

What is St. Mark’s Place known for?

St. Mark’s Place is regarded as a main cultural street in the East Village. It evolved from an elegant early-19th-century residential district into a 20th-century hub of counterculture and artistic expression.

What is the history of St. Mark’s Place?

The street was renamed St. Mark’s Place in 1835 by developer Thomas E. Davis, who developed the area between Third and Second Avenues between 1831 and 1832. The area was once part of Governor Peter Stuyvesant’s 17th-century farm.

Are there any historic landmarks on St. Mark’s Place?

Yes, the Hamilton-Holly House at 4 St. Mark's Place is a designated individual landmark. Additionally, the street is part of the St. Mark’s Historic District, which was designated in 1969 and extended in 1984.

What is St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery?

Located within the historic district, St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery is the oldest site of worship in Manhattan and New York’s oldest site of continuous religious practice. The fieldstone Georgian-style church building was begun in 1795.

Is St. Mark's Place good for arts and theater?

Yes, the street has a history of artistic expression. For example, Theatre 80 at 78–80 St. Mark’s Place, which began as the Jazz Gallery in 1959, was associated with notable jazz musicians and the premiere of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

St. Mark’s Place serves as a primary cultural corridor for the East Village. The street is part of the St. Mark’s Historic District, which was designated on January 14, 1969, and later extended on June 19, 1984. This area was originally part of a 17th-century farm owned by Governor Peter Stuyvesant, which was later subdivided and developed by his great-grandson. In the early 19th century, the street was an elegant residential enclave. Developer Thomas E. Davis built up the section between Second and Third Avenues between 1831 and 1832, officially renaming the east end St. Mark’s Place in 1835. By the 1840s, the street was lined with spacious townhouses designed for prosperous New Yorkers, including the Hamilton-Holly House located at 4 St. Mark's Place. As the neighborhood evolved, it transitioned into a 20th-century hub for artistic expression and counterculture. A prime example is the building at 78–80 St. Mark’s Place, which opened as the Jazz Gallery in 1959 before becoming Theatre 80 in 1964. This venue became a center for Off-Off-Broadway theater and hosted the premiere of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Architectural landmarks continue to define the street today. St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery, with a cornerstone laid in 1795 by John McComb Jr., stands as a fieldstone Georgian-style building and the oldest site of continuous religious practice in New York. Contrastingly, modern additions like the eight-story commercial building at 3 St. Mark’s Place, designed by Morris Adjmi Architects, introduce curved glass panels to the historic skyline.

Visitor tips

  • Look up at the facades between Second and Third Avenues to spot the remaining 1840s townhouses.
  • Visit St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery to see the Georgian-style fieldstone masonry.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as the best way to experience the cultural corridor is on foot.

Nearby context

St. Mark's Place is the central artery of the East Village, bridging the gap between the residential quiet of the historic district and the bustling commercial energy of the neighborhood's artistic hubs.

Sources

Evidence and links