Stone Street

A glimpse into 19th-century New York.

The perfect outdoor dining spot.

Stone Street was one of the New World’s very first paved streets, laid out by Dutch colonists in the 1600s. A bustling, thriving thoroughfare for several centuries, Stone Street had fallen into disrepair, leaving its storefronts decayed and vacant. That's where the Downtown Alliance stepped in.

We partnered with the Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate Stone Street as a historic district, a move that allowed the Commission to apply for federal funds to restore the street. We also teamed up with the city's Department of Transportation and Department of Design and Construction to bring Stone Street back to life. The project, designed by Beyer Blender Belle Architects, set the stage for new commercial development while preserving Stone Street's historic charm.

The Downtown Alliance coordinated the Stone Street reconstruction. The city installed a new street bed, lined with cobblestones duplicating the street's original paving, and also laid new bluestone sidewalks and a granite curb. Old-style lighting fixtures were also installed.

These changes have restored the street and recreated its 19th-century look and feel. Today it's an only-in-New York setting for an appealing cluster of restaurants and bars; every summer evening finds a festive crowd strolling along Stone Street to enjoy its sidewalk cafes.