As an ARO resident, your home is more than an address — it’s a chapter in New York’s literary saga. From your vantage point at ARO’s Midtown West luxury rentals, you’re viewing the skyline in a landscape that has shaped American literature. Midtown West is a living manuscript filled with subtle nuances echoing the legacy of literary pioneers. The whispers of pen to paper and the soft tap of typewriter keys still resonate with an invitation to contribute your own verse to this ever-unfolding narrative.
Midtown West’s literary legacy centers around the Algonquin Hotel at 59 West 44th Street, just moments from ARO. In the 1920s, this luxury hotel near Times Square was the daily meeting place for the Algonquin Round Table, a collective of quick-witted literati known for their cleverness and humor. Charter member Dorothy Parker is often credited with the quip, “I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.” It’s a line that embodies the spirit of the ensemble — whether she said it or not. This wordplay exemplifies the verve that flowed as freely as the cocktails. The Round Table’s influence extended beyond clever banter; members like Robert Benchley and Harold Ross, who founded The New Yorker, significantly impacted American humor and journalism, reshaping the literary landscape.
Today, ARO residents and visitors can explore the Algonquin and immerse themselves in the hotel’s rich history. While enjoying a cocktail, they can envision the spirited conversations that once animated the space, perhaps even drawing inspiration from the creative energy that lingers in the air.
Amid the energy of Midtown West, Tennessee Williams found both anchor and muse. He discovered the perfect inspiration for his plays in the neighborhood’s animated streets and colorful characters. At Sardi’s Restaurant on 234 West 44th Street, he soaked himself in an atmosphere that rivaled his own dramatic works. Imagine him here crafting “A Streetcar Named Desire” surrounded by clinking glasses and lively chatter.
The Plaza Hotel at 768 Fifth Avenue held a special allure for F. Scott Fitzgerald, reflecting the glamorous and decadent lifestyle he wrote about, particularly in “The Great Gatsby.” The hotel is prominently featured in his novel as the site of a pivotal confrontation between Gatsby and Tom Buchanan. One can easily picture Fitzgerald wandering through the Plaza’s opulent halls, his imagination sparked by the surrounding elegance. Perhaps he scribbled notes for Gatsby’s lavish parties while sipping a strong drink at the legendary, but now closed, Oak Bar, with the lingering sounds of Jazz Age revelry in the air.
Eugene O’Neill, one of America’s most celebrated playwrights, made a lasting impact on Midtown’s theatrical scene. In 1946, his groundbreaking play “The Iceman Cometh” debuted at the Martin Beck Theatre (now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre) on 302 West 45th Street. The play’s dark, brooding characters captured the essence of the city’s post-war era, their voices reverberating through the city streets.
Explore a neighborhood steeped in literary history. Midtown West offers a unique opportunity to turn the pages of its rich past. Residing at ARO’s no-fee apartments in Manhattan places you in the heart of this luminous literary landscape, where engaging with its legacy is not just about reading history — it’s about living it. Discover the benefits of living at ARO and experience the allure of Midtown West. Contact the ARO sales team to start your journey today and make ARO your new home.