The history of the Upper East Side dates back to 19th century when first signs of a commercially developed neighborhood were seen. In the 19th century the farmland and market garden section of what used to be the Upper East Side was still being used as a road. This road was known as the Boston Post Road. Along with the Boston Post Road, the New York and Harlem Railroad were the only systems bringing in any type of commerce to the neighborhood at 86th street. This neighborhood was the heart of German Yorkville, which extended past Lexington Avenue and became a suburb of middle class Germans, many of whom worked in nearby piano factories, stables, and breweries. By the mid-19th century because of the growing commercialization much of the farmland was subdivided with the exception of the 150 acres of Jones’ Wood. Jones wood stretched from 66th street to 76th street and from where Third Avenue is to the river. This large piece of land was inherited by James Lenox, who then divided the land into smaller lots and built his Lenox Library on a fifth avenue lot. James Lenox also donated a full square block for the Presbyterian Hospital, between 70th and 71st street and Park Avenue (Lyndenberg).
During the second half of the 19th century, vast numbers of foreign immigrants and other American immigrants came to New York City, which caused a population boom that pushed speculative development beyond the already settled downtown districts. The speculative development was temporarily put aside because of the Panic of 1873. But by the start of the 1880s, financial recovery and the opening of newly built elevated railroads on Second and Third Avenues allowed what is now the Upper East Side to regain its status as a prime. The early 1890s saw almost the entire area, with the exception of pricey lots along Fifth Avenue, built up with residences for those commuting to the busy commercial areas downtown. Many houses were often purchased by business people, many of whom were successful immigrants with German, German-Jewish or Irish heritage. A few of these original structures remain today, marking the rich architectural tradition of this part of the City. In the east area larger tenements were constructed to accommodate the increasing numbers of working class people. Before 1890s, Fifth Avenue north of 59th Street was not considered to be a prestigious neighborhood, with the wealthiest and most affluent people living south of 59th Street in mansions and row houses near Fifth Avenue. Some of these families were the Rockefellers, Roosevelt’s, and the Kennedy’s (Horsley). By the mid-1890s, however, the wealthy classes began to participate in speculating in real estate and by 1915 large residences were built on Fifth Avenue all the way up to 96th Street. As development expanded northward along 59th street in the early 20th century, a substantial number of the row houses on neighboring streets were demolished and replaced by newer, more elegant residences. Around the same time, New York Central’s Railroad tracks along Park Avenue were electrified and covered. This eliminated many nuisance conditions and restored value to the lands. The Park Avenue Boulevard was transformed into a prime location and both real estate developers and wealthy individuals began to establish new residences there. New schools, churches, synagogues, social clubs, museums and fashionable shops sprung up in the area. Located in this great neighborhood many of these institutions have risen to international prominence in modern times, making the Upper East Side a premiere destination for the best private schools, and foremost museum collections.
With the rising prices of land and the introduction of the income tax in 1913, major mansion and townhouse construction came to a standstill by about 1915. The limited supply of residences and land during this time caused prices to rise and this contributed to establishing the Upper East Side’s reputation as an elite residential neighborhood. One that was too expensive for all but the country’s wealthiest individuals. Demand for property on the Upper East Side remained steady through the early 20th Century and although the most affluent families continued to pursue construction and renovation of residences along the lesser-developed eastern parts toward the river, it was during this time that luxury apartment buildings began to appear on the Upper East Side to fulfill the needs of larger numbers of people who were eager to move to area. This started a new trend and for the next two decades the development of luxury apartments increased and was only slowed by the Great Depression and World War II.
The next major development came in 1934, with the completion of the East River Drive extension, designed by Robert Moses, which created an arterial street-level highway running from 125th Street to 92nd Street. The highway went through several reconstruction projects from 1948 to 1966, resulting in the modern day FDR Drive. Robert Moses was also responsible for another Upper East Side project. In 1942, when he convinced the New York City Mayor at the time Fiorello Henry La Guardia to appropriate Gracie Mansion as a mayoral residence. Gracie Mansion continues to be the official mayoral residence of New York City.
Today in The Upper East Side there is a Historic District which is one of New York City’s largest landmark districts, as the neighborhood is synonymous with wealth and social standing. Designated in 1981, this district reaches from 59th to 78th Streets along Fifth Avenue, and as far east as 3rd Avenue at certain points. The Upper East Side Historic District is a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and its boundaries were increased in 2006 (Citi habitats).
