H
idden in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Hudson Square has quietly become a culinary hotspot, drawing star chefs and a young creative workforce. Since Google and Disney captured more than 4 million square feet last year, 16 new tenants have settled in the district, fueling a surge of restaurants in historic buildings. Daniel Humm, creator of Eleven Madison Park, is slated to open a 5,000‑square‑foot eatery at 435 Hudson St later this year. Cesar Ramirez’s Cesar at 333 Hudson St earned a second Michelin star, while Flynn McGarry’s Cove debuted at 285 W. Houston St in October. Brooklyn’s Jake Leiber signed a 4,437‑square‑foot lease at 555 Greenwich St, and Simo Pizza will serve Neapolitan pies at 350 Hudson St. The district also hosts Sushidokoro Mekumi at 70 Charlton St, Lina Goujjane’s Kiko at 307 Spring St, and the lively Port Sa’id at 350 Hudson St, where chef Eyal Shani delivers Mediterranean‑inspired feasts.
Hudson Square Properties (HSP), a joint venture of Trinity Church, Norges Bank and Hines, owns 13 buildings and roughly half of the district’s 12 million square feet of office space. Over the past 12 months, HSP secured 915,000 square feet of new leases and renewals, reducing the vacancy rate to 16.5%. The partnership has also leased more than 64,000 square feet of retail space in the last two years, positioning the area as a destination for both residents and office workers in tech, media and creative fields. HSP’s strategy focuses on attracting chefs who generate buzz, turning ground‑floor retail into a vibrant dining corridor.
Although the name “Hudson Square” misleads—the area is an irregular trapezoid north of Canal Street and east of West Street—it is rapidly gaining recognition alongside Tribeca, Flatiron and Williamsburg. Hines senior managing director Jason Alderman notes, “Hudson Square is becoming one of the city’s most interesting new dining corridors. We have intentionally transformed the neighborhood’s ground‑floor retail to provide the best mix of uses for our office tenants and local residents.” The district, once home to early 20th‑century printing presses, now features fitness studios such as Equinox and Studio Pilates, but its culinary scene is the true draw.
In short, Hudson Square’s blend of historic architecture, high‑profile chefs, and strategic leasing has turned it into a hidden gem for food lovers and professionals alike.
