From Sausage to Yakitori

Many people believe that Union Square got its name from the many labor demonstrations that took place here back in the day. Not true. The reason for the name is much more simple: Union Square was the location of the “union” of Broadway, 4th Avenue (aka Park Ave. South), and University Place. Nothing more complicated than that.

The upcoming Union Square Sweat Fest,  February 7 through 15, will feature lots of deals for fitness classes, workout gear, cosmetics, and more from around the neighborhood. Click on the link to learn more.

Next week (August 8 to August 12), Contractors will continue to excavate earth and rock, and load out material. Installation of bracing rakers, line drilling, lagging and sheeting around the perimeter will progress as well. Concrete foundation walls will continue along the perimeter of the site. Interior core foundation work will proceed. The following week (August 15 to August 19 ), we will continue with concrete foundation walls, line drilling, rock excavation, loading out,and interior core foundation work & underground plumbing. DEP will continue to work on the water main along 13th Street. The site will be open on Saturday, August 6th. Work hours are between 9AM and 5PM as permitted by the City. To control noise levels, work activities will be limited to the placement of formwork and rebar for concrete placement, wood lagging, and installation of walers and braces. There will be no rock excavation, rock chopping, or hauling on Saturday.

The 2021 Union Square Partnership annual report is full of interesting facts, figures, and insights about the neighborhood. Click to see. 

Here’s a 1910 view of the south side of 14 St. looking east from 6th Ave. from what was then the platform of the elevated train. As you can see, Macy’s was headquartered there (where Urban Outfitters is now) and expanded along the block over time as it grew. Eventually, the cobbled-together space got too complicated and the store decamped for its massive new digs in Herald Square. If you look closely at this building today, you can still see vestiges of Macy’s red star icon in a few places.