Greenwich Village was populated as a village soon after the American Revolution. The street layout has seen little change since then, as the neighborhood was left unaltered during the imposition of the Commissioner's Grid on Manhattan in 1811. The area has a rich history as the East Coast birthplace of the Beat Movement, and is famously known as a haven for artists and bohemians. Known colloquially as "The Village", the area retains much of its historic character and purpose as a primarily residential and commercial-based neighborhood to this day. Architectural Styles: Rowhouses in the Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, French Second Empire, Neo-Grec and Queen Anne styles. TIP - Check out the Jefferson Market Library, formerly a courthouse, at 425 6th Avenue. The building is an interesting case of adaptive reuse and key site for the preservation movement in Greenwich Village.
In 1969, the LPC designated the Greenwich Village Historic District – which remained the city's largest for four decades
The neighborhood is roughly centered on Washington Square Park and New York University
In the 20th century, Greenwich Village was known as an artists' haven, the bohemian capital, the cradle of the modern LGBT movement, and the East Coast birthplace of both the Beat and '60s counterculture movements.