City Living: South Tompkins Square Park

Nestled within the heart of the East Village, this quaint micro-neighborhood beats at a slightly slower pace beneath the hustle, bustle and foot shuffling of partygoers and tourists.

Defined by its trees, low-rise buildings and a park that serves as a backyard for local families, it offers a welcomed respite for those in search of a more toned-down version of the city — but one that’s not too far from the liveliness, should they ever yearn to return.

We call it South Tompkins Square Park, and it is known for its shady side streets and trendy but laid-back main avenues.

Saturated with everything from restaurants, bars and boutiques to community gardens, art galleries and classic New York delis, the area is a vibrant hub of activity infused with palpable East Village-Alphabet City edginess and charm.

Historic tenement houses and classic three- to five-floor walk-ups line its side streets, with some facades splashed in red, gray and black. And though trees populate many blocks, greenery is all the more present at the 10.5-acre Tompkins Square Park, from which the area takes its name.

The park was once home to squatters ranging from students to the homeless, and served as the site of the 1988 Tompkins Square Park riots. But the green space takes on a different air today.

Basketball and handball courts provide an outlet for neighborhood kids to play, the dog run is an asset to dog owners and, on a typical day, New York University co-eds can be seen sitting on the benches, eyes glued to laptops, while residents catch up a few feet away or visitors stroll through.

“Thirty years ago you’d be afraid to walk through the park,” said longtime resident John Moloney. He has lived on East Ninth Street with his wife since 1967 and raised six kids there.

“Now no one’s afraid to walk home at night; that’s what’s great,” he said.

Tompkins Square Park stretches from East Seventh Street up to East 10th Street and sits between Avenues A and B.

Along the busy retail arteries of First Avenue and Avenues A, B and C, a few longtime establishments comingle with chic restaurants and a variety of bars in a mix of old grit and new glamour.

The seemingly perpetual influx of establishments, the newly renovated condo and apartment buildings, the natural greenery and the liveliness of the area all add to its allure.

“Students, recent graduates, out-of-towners, couples and young professionals are all moving in,” said Andrew Detore, a Citi Habitats real estate agent, noting that the park plays a role in nabbing potential renters, with Avenue A and St. Marks being two very desirable spots.

A typical two-bedroom apartment rents for an average of $2,700. A condo or building sale rakes in $700,000 to $2 million.

Amid the rapid rise of swanky spots, the bohemian feel of the East Village is ever-present.

Art galleries, vintage stores, community gardens and quirky specialty shops dot the main and side streets, each one adding its own charm and character to the area.

“Forget the restaurants and bars. Those are great, but it’s the vibe as a whole that brings people in,” Detore said. “It’s really unique.”

Find it: The South Tompkins Square Park area starts at E. 9th St. and ends at E. 3rd St. The avenues go from Second to C.

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According to the NYPD CompStat report, the precinct has seen major drops in its murder, robbery and rape numbers in the past 20 years.

There were 23 murders in the area in 1990 compared with one in 2012; there were 41 rapes in 1990 compared with 15 in 2012, and robberies dropped from 1,135 in 1990 to 177 in 2012.

An investment group signed on to convert the space into a 500-bed dormitory called University House. The group plans to spend $40 million to convert the building.

Singer bought the property, located at 605 E. Ninth St. just off of Tompkins Square Park, in 1998 and was trying to convert it into a dormitory since.

Over the years he faced opposition from residents who want to see it used as a space for local community groups or low-rental apartments.

The rooms will be made available to students from various New York colleges. Singer says the rent will be about $1,550 per month, per bed.

University House is expected to open in fall 2014.

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Steve Rose first moved into the Tompkins Square Park area in 1976 and has lived on East Sixth Street ever since.

He has served as president of the Creative Little Garden since 2008.