An assortment of restaurants, bars, and establishments line Irving Place, the main thoroughfare of the neighborhood south of the park. Pete's Tavern, New York's oldest surviving saloon and where O. Henry wrote The Gift of the Magi, survived Prohibition disguised as a flower shop. Irving Plaza, at East 15th Street and Irving, hosts numerous concerts for both well-known and indie bands and draws a crowd almost every night. There are also a number of clinics and official city buildings on Irving Place. Many actors, actresses and artists live in the district including Jimmy Fallon, Kate Hudson, Rufus Wainwright, Whitney Port, Joshua Bell, and Amanda Lepore. Amanda Peet grew up in the neighborhood. Winona Ryder used to live in Gramercy Park, but moved out in 1988. The fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez has his studio on Irving Place and the neighborhood is home to numerous models' apartments from nearby agencies on Broadway. NBC News anchor Ann Curry also lives in the neighborhood.
The best Gramercy apartments for rent can be found around the park on Gramercy Park East, East 20th Street, East 21st Street. In addition, you will find much of the old Gramercy charm in rental apartments on Irving Place, as well as the East-West street below the park like 16th, 17th and 18th Streets.