Little Italy Property Search

Little Italy, once a thriving Italian-American enclave, has shrunk to a few blocks centered on Mulberry Street between Canal and Broome Streets. The neighborhood retains its cultural identity through restaurants, cafes, and the annual Feast of San Gennaro, but has been largely absorbed by the expanding Chinatown to the south and NoLita to the north.

Old Law tenements with ground-floor restaurants and shops, mixed-use buildings, and a small number of converted loft spaces. The building stock is primarily 5-6 story walk-ups with retail at street level.

Tenements from the 1880s-1900s predominate. Very little new construction due to the small size of the neighborhood and the Little Italy Special District protections.

HPD housing code violations in older tenements, restaurant and food establishment violations, facade maintenance, fire safety issues in older walk-ups, and violations related to the heavy foot traffic from tourism and the Feast of San Gennaro.

Moderate assessed values. Mixed-use buildings with restaurant tenants may have higher commercial assessments. Residential units in Tax Class 2 with capped assessments.

Special Little Italy District (established 1977) includes use and signage regulations designed to preserve the neighborhood's character. Underlying zoning is C6-2 with specific restrictions on ground-floor uses.

The neighborhood's future is largely about preservation rather than new development. The Special Little Italy District provides some protection, but the continued expansion of Chinatown and gentrification pressure from NoLita and SoHo shape the area.