Amalgamated is in the heart of a quiet residential section of the Lower East Side with a rich and varied history. From its indigenous origins as the homeland of the Lenape people, the neighborhood was developed into the Delancey Farm by Dutch colonists. The Lower East Side would become the site of the city's first tenement building, and a community of Italians, Eastern European Jews, as well as Greeks, Hungarians, Poles, Romanians, Russians, Slovaks and Ukrainians immigrated to the neighborhood.

Today the Lower East Side is renowned for its art, music, food, and culture. The neighborhood is home to eclectic small businesses and cultural institutions—from Jewish cobblers and pickle vendors to stylish boutiques and restaurants. Across the street is Ost Cafe, a local favorite coffee shop, and one block West is Abrons Art Center, home to vanguard performances for generations.‍A progressive, inclusive district, the LES is adjacent to the East Village, Soho, Nolita, and Chinatown. From street snacks to fine dining, from beer halls to cocktail lounges, the neighborhood offers a huge range of tastes at every price point. Everyday amenities are also steps away, including multiple grocery stores, doctors' offices, schools, and libraries. The newly opened Essex Market—and the soon-to-open Essex Line underground extension—rival Chelsea Market with dozens of artisanal food vendors and award-winning restaurants.
‍
The Lower East Side is also a wonderland for kids. Built in 1903 and still bustling, Seward Park Playground is the first permanent, municipally-built playground in the nation. Immediately behind Amalgamated, Luther Gulick Park recently underwent a nine million dollar renovation with handball and basketball courts, playgrounds, ping pong tables, and picnic tables for family-friendly gatherings. At the end of a busy day, Amalgamated’s leafy courtyard provides an idyllic retreat.