Manhattan · Neighborhood guide
Two Bridges
Two Bridges meets the East River below East Broadway, with housing, neighborhood institutions and recreation space beneath the Manhattan Bridge. The Forward Building and Chatham Square Library offer two views of the area's immigrant and publishing history.
Montanabw · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized.
About Two Bridges
The ten-story Forward Building was completed in 1912 for the Jewish Daily Forward. Its offices and printing plant remained there until 1972. The Yiddish-language newspaper and the building's ornament connect East Broadway with the history of immigrant journalism and labor organizing.
Chatham Square Library opened in 1903 in a Carnegie-funded building designed by McKim, Mead & White. Its Chinese Heritage Collection records another strand of the community served by the branch. Coleman Playground adds a public outdoor stop near the bridge.
Places to explore
Coleman Playground and LES Skatepark
Cherry, Pike and Monroe streetsThe playground includes a skatepark beneath the Manhattan Bridge and other recreation space. Follow posted rules for the facilities.
Forward Building
173-175 East BroadwayCompleted in 1912 to a design by George A. Boehm, the former Jewish Daily Forward building has a richly ornamented facade. Look at the upper stories from the public sidewalk; this is an exterior stop.
Read the NYFE place guideChatham Square Library
33 East BroadwayThis Carnegie-funded branch opened in 1903. McKim, Mead & White designed the building, and the branch holds a Chinese Heritage Collection. Check NYPL for current opening information before planning an interior visit.
Read the NYFE place guide
Planning a visit
The Museum at Eldridge Street lists the F to East Broadway; the station is an approach to the East Broadway edge of this guide. Check MTA notices and allow time to walk to the playground and library.
Coleman Playground is the outdoor recreation stop in this selection. Check NYPL's current branch information before visiting the library, and use the public sidewalk for the Forward Building facade.
Photos
TEAM TOM (Wikis Take Manhattan 2009 participant) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Resized.
Kidfly182 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized.
Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Resized.
Sources and visitor information
- Manhattan BridgeNYC Department of Transportation
- Coleman Playground historyNYC Parks
- Coleman PlaygroundNYC Parks
- Plan your visitMuseum at Eldridge Street
- Forward Building designationNYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
- Chatham Square Branch recordsNew York Public Library Archives
- Planned service changesMetropolitan Transportation Authority
- Two Bridges neighborhood boundary descriptionWikipedia
- Opening hoursNew York Public Library