Washington Mews is a small, gated street in Greenwich Village, located just one block north of Washington Square. In the early 19th century, this area served as a service zone for the prestigious homes along Fifth Avenue — it was filled with stables and carriage houses belonging to wealthy residents.
The word mews comes from London and originally referred to exactly this kind of setup — utility buildings used to house horses and store carriages, typically hidden behind grand mansions. In a way, Washington Mews can be thought of as the carriage lane of Fifth Avenue.
As the city evolved and horse-drawn transport disappeared, the stables gradually lost their original purpose. Many were converted into residential spaces while keeping their distinctive look — narrow, low-rise buildings, exposed brick, and small windows. That’s why Washington Mews still feels like an open-air museum today, standing in sharp contrast to the taller buildings surrounding it.
In the early 20th century, Washington Mews began attracting a creative crowd. Artists, writers, and professors from the nearby university moved in, drawn by the quiet atmosphere and close proximity to work. This gave the street its lasting reputation as an intellectual and creative enclave.
Over time, the street came fully under the control of NYU, which now uses the buildings as faculty housing and academic spaces. Despite its small size, Washington Mews remains one of the most authentic and historically preserved streets in the neighborhood.
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