Living in the Heart of Academic NYC

Nestled between the Upper West Side and Harlem, Morningside Heights offers the feel of a college town with the metropolitan sensibilities of New York. The neighborhood is home to Columbia University and Barnard College, shaping the extraordinary intellectual activity of the area—from readings at independent bookstores to performances at Miller Theatre and everything in between.

Between the historic structures and vibrant urban atmosphere, Morningside Heights is teeming with lush green space. Residents enjoy convenience to the sprawling Riverside Park as well as the picturesque Morningside Park, where recreational possibilities abound. A walkable environment plus quick subway access makes getting around from Morningside Heights easy.

In many ways, Morningside Heights reminds of the nearby Upper West Side, especially in its ample green space, shady streets, and laid-back, homey feel. What sets Morningside Heights apart, however, is the number of colleges and universities in and near the area.

North of Cathedral Parkway (110th Street) and south of 125th Street, Morningside Heights is dominated by several of the city’s institutions of higher education: Columbia University, its sister Barnard College, Union Theological Seminary, and a few smaller schools. It is also home to the enormous Cathedral of St. John the Divine – the Episcopal church is the city’s largest.

Morningside Heights’ development began in earnest following the completion of Morningside Park (in 1888) and Riverside Drive (1892); Columbia University moved to the neighborhood in 1896. The campuses of Columbia, Barnard, and Union Theological Seminary can feel like surprisingly pastoral islands of academia on the grid of Manhattan. On the surrounding blocks, rowhouses and apartment buildings appeal to those who appreciate the college-town feel, the neighborhood’s two parks, and the lively commercial strip, along Broadway.

Monarch Heights is located in the heart of Morningside Heights, which is widely considered one of the most dynamic and vibrant neighborhoods in New York City. The neighborhood and surrounding areas have the great distinction of being home to a couple of the greatest universities in the entire world, an array of amazing restaurants, and famed NYC parks and landmarks.