Standing for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, DUMBO got it’s name in the 1970s when residents of the then manufacturing district thought a catchy name would attract developers. Home to factories, warehouses and the birthplace of the cardboard box, Dumbo wasn’t considered a bustling neighborhood until the late 1990s, thanks to the development of a strong arts community. Today, over 500 tech and creative companies with more than 10,000 employees occupy a 10 block radius. While what they create has changed over time, this area has always been home to makers, innovators, and dreamers.
The Archway is 7,000-square-feet of space under the Manhattan Bridge. During the warmer months, hoards of DUMBO inhabitants opt to eat or purchase lunch (and some booze) inside the 45' historic Belgian block. After closing to the public for 17 years by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), the Archway was reopened by DOT after advocacy from the the DUMBO Improvement District.
