55 Water Street Manhattan is one of the finest places to start your journey in Lower Manhattan. There are plenty of attractions that can be reached within a distance of 5–15 minutes from this location, including the Elevated Acre Garden, South Street Seaport, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial, Battery Park, and Staten Island Ferry. Whether you’re visiting for business or sightseeing, the location offers excellent walkability, transportation, and dining options.
- 55 Water Street Manhattan is located in the Financial District – one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the city with a Walk Score of 100.
- The very building has its own Elevated Acre – a rooftop garden offering an amazing view of the East River and Brooklyn Bridge.
- South Street Seaport, Battery Park, 9/11 Memorial, and the New York Stock Exchange are just 10-15 minute walks from 55 Water Street Manhattan.
- There are several underground railroads and the Staten Island Ferry right next to 55 Water Street Manhattan.
- Options for dining around 55 Water Street Manhattan range from informal lunch restaurants to upscale waterfront restaurants.
Overview
555 Water Street Manhattan is a 53-floor office building that is situated on 55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041, in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan. The building was constructed in 1972 by Emery Roth & Sons, providing about 3.5 million square feet of office space and ranking among the largest office buildings of New York City. In addition to functioning as an office facility, it is famous for the Elevated Acre roof garden and its prime location in proximity to numerous sights, which make it attractive for businesspeople, tourists, and photographers.
The above-mentioned address lies in the Financial District neighborhood. Financial District is the 7th most walkable neighborhood in Manhattan with a Walk Score of 100. It means that you can walk to almost every destination on our list easily without the need for a cab or ridesharing.
Top Attractions Within Walking Distance of 55 Water Street Manhattan
1. The Elevated Acre
The building itself is one of the best hidden mysteries in the vicinity of 55 Water Street Manhattan. 55 Water Street is a boxy financial-district tower with a secret delight: the Elevated Acre, a N.Y.C. garden concealed high above the city streets. A magnificent grass well above street level, an outdoor amphitheatre, Brazilian hardwood walkways, a beer garden, and sweeping views right over the FDR Drive and over the East River, Brooklyn Bridge, and New York Harbour. At 55 Water Street Manhattan, this rooftop park sometimes includes films and dance events as part of the city’s River to River Festival.
2. Fraunces Tavern Block, Historic District
Old Slip Park with the Fraunces Tavern Block Historic District 55 Water Street Manhattan. Fraunces Tavern – An old building in Manhattan and an important site for history buffs because of George Washington’s last message to his army officers.
3. South Street Seaport & Pier 17
Only a few minutes away from 55 Water Street Manhattan, visitors can visit the rejuvenated South Street Seaport. The rejuvenated South Street Seaport and its Pier 17 rooftop location are just around the corner. The Seaport neighbourhood is home to cobblestone streets, seasonal markets, waterfront eateries, and a changing performance schedule.
4. New York Stock Exchange & Wall Street
History and finance buffs will note the New York Stock Exchange is located around 0.3 miles northwest of 55 Water Street. While internal tours are limited, travellers visiting the vicinity of 55 Water Street Manhattan nonetheless use the external architecture and the adjoining Wall Street corridor as a favourite picture opportunity.
5. Battery Park & Statue of Liberty Ferry
It is situated 0.4 miles to the west of 55 Water Street and at approximately the same distance from the Statue of Liberty departure point. The park provides spectacular views of the harbor and transportation facilities to Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
6. 9/11 Memorial & Museum
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, situated about 0.4 miles away from the building, represents another popular sight in the vicinity of Lower Manhattan. The twin reflecting pools and museum displays represent a great tribute to one of the most visited sights in the area surrounding 55 Water Street Manhattan.
7. Pier 15 and the East River Walkway
Pier 15 is located about 0.3 miles east of 55 Water Street and provides a pleasant waterfront walk along the East River. This esplanade connects a number of parks and is a popular pathway for walking, running and bicycling near 55 Water Street Manhattan.
8. Battery Maritime Building
The historic Battery Maritime Building, with its Beaux-Arts front, is a favourite among architectural fans exploring the region, and it’s located just 0.2 miles southwest of 55 Water Street.
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Getting Around Near 55 Water St. New York, NY
This place has many transport choices. 55 Water Street is located 5 minutes away from the South Ferry Underground Station and the Wall Street/William Street Station located in the Financial District of Manhattan, as well as the M15, SIM5, SIM15 and SIM35 bus routes. 55 Water Street is also stated to be 4 minutes away from the Broadway Local trains (N and W lines) located in Whitehall Street-South Ferry station.
Two blocks west of the building lies the South Ferry transportation complex, which includes the South Ferry/Whitehall Street subway station and Whitehall Terminal of the Staten Island Ferry. 55 Water Street Manhattan is a great place to start a free boat journey with skyline and Statue of Liberty views.
Living and Food Around 55 Water Street Manhattan
The area around 55 Water Street Manhattan has seen a lot of change in the last 10 years. What used to be a sedate commercial sector around 55 Water is now a genuine 24/7 neighbourhood with pubs, restaurants, and busy streets at all hours. Long-time renters have witnessed it directly. The residential population has risen dramatically, with people strolling dogs, taking kids to school, and running around the block at all hours, a pattern that wasn’t seen decades ago.
In the vicinity of 55 Water Street, you’ll discover a variety of culinary delights, from farm-to-table and handcrafted Italian to lively Mexican, including modern American, rustic pasta, and taco bars featuring artisanal margaritas. Inside the structure, the restaurant and bar Sky55 overlooks the Elevated Acre square and serves lunch and dinner on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Nearby Landmarks Worth Noting
To the northwest of 55 Water Street is the Fraunces Tavern block, to the northeast are the New York City Police Museum and 32 Old Slip, and to the west are 25 Water Street and 2 New York Plaza. There is such a density of landmarks that you may walk only a few blocks away from 55 Water Street Manhattan and see several places of historical and architectural significance.
Why 55 Water Street is a Great Base in Downtown Manhattan
No matter what your reason is to be in Manhattan, whether for business or leisure, 55 Water Street Manhattan offers you the perfect combination, which consists of a peaceful retreat in the form of a rooftop garden right inside an office building and easy accessibility to some of the most celebrated sites of New York City. 55 Water Street Manhattan is within easy reach of everything you can find in Lower Manhattan.
FAQs
1. What is Manhattan 55 Water Street?
It’s one of the largest office towers in the city, and it hides a rooftop park, the Elevated Acre, with East River and Brooklyn Bridge views.
2. Is 55 Water Street Manhattan walkable to major attractions?
Yes. South Street Seaport, Battery Park, the 9/11 Memorial, and Wall Street are all within a 5 to 15 minute walk.
3. How do I get to 55 Water Street Manhattan by subway?
The closest subway entrance is at the Whitehall Street-South Ferry station, a 4-5 minute walk from 55 Water Street Manhattan. There is also access at Wall Street/William Street station.
4. What is The Elevated Acre at 55 Water Street Manhattan?
The Elevated Acre is famous for a rooftop garden above the building with a lawn, an amphitheater, walking paths, and a restaurant and bar called Sky55. You get up there by elevator from the lobby.
5. Can I take a ferry from near 55 Water Street Manhattan?
Yes. The Staten Island Ferry’s Whitehall Terminal is about two blocks away, and ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island leave from nearby Battery Park.
Sources and Citations
- Walk Score – 55 Water Street, Manhattan, NY
- OpenTable – Restaurants Near 55 Water Street
- Privately Owned Public Space (APOPS) – 55 Water Street
- HotelGuides – Hotels Near 55 Water Street
- City Days – 55 Water Street: The Elevated Acre
- Commercial Observer – Downtown’s Best Kept Secret
- Wikipedia – 55 Water Street
