Columbus Circle

Located across from Central Park in the heart of Manhattan, this New York City landmark is named for Christopher Columbus. A majestic marble statue of the explorer rises from the middle of Columbus Circle, which is also home to the Time Warner Center.

Columbus Circle is located at the southwest corner of Central Park. It intersects Eighth Avenue, Broadway, Central Park South (59th Street) and Central Park West. All official distances from New York City are measured from this point. Columbus Circle is a centrally located spot within walking distance of many top New York City attractions, and it is a popular place for shopping, dining or just sitting on a bench and people-watching.

An Actual Circle

Visitors marvel at how Columbus Circle is an actual circle. The designer of Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted, planned the circle as a grand entrance to the massive urban park. Columbus Circle itself was designed by William P. Eno, a businessman and innovator of road and traffic safety. It was completed in 1905 and renovated extensively in 2005 with improved landscaping and the addition of new water fountains, wooden benches and grassy areas.

Columbus Celebrated

Italian sculptor Gaetano Russo created the monument to Christopher Columbus at the center of Columbus Circle. It was erected in 1892 when New York commemorated the 400th anniversary of the explorer’s landing in the Americas. The monument features a 70-foot granite column adorned with bronze reliefs of Columbus’ three ships. A marble statue of Columbus sits atop the column, and the pedestal depicts an angel holding up a globe.

USS Maine Monument

The Merchant's Gate to Central Park, located at the northeast side of Columbus Circle, features a majestic memorial to the 258 American sailors that were killed when the battleship USS Maine exploded and sank in Havana’s harbor in 1898, sparking the Spanish-American War. Completed in 1913, this massive structure was created from marble and bronze and features a base in the shape of a ship’s prow surrounded by figures symbolizing Peace, Victory, Courage and Fortitude.

Time Warner Center

The glass towers of the Time Warner Center soar above the western side of Columbus Circle. The skyscrapers are home to the Time Warner world headquarters, the Mandarin Oriental hotel, residential condominiums and the Shops at Columbus Circle, a collection of upscale retail stores. A Whole Foods Market is located in the basement of the complex, which also houses the CNN studios and the Jazz at Lincoln Center venues which overlook Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.

Other points of interest at Columbus Circle include the Museum of Arts & Design at 2 Columbus Circle and the Trump International Hotel and Tower on the north side.

Visiting Columbus Circle in New York City

Columbus Circle is major transit hub, served by several bus lines. The 59th Street – Columbus Circle subway station is located beneath the circle.

Many vibrant neighbourhoods with numerous dining options surround Columbus Circle including Hell’s Kitchen, the Broadway Theatre District, and the Upper West Side to the north.

Click here to visit the Shops at Columbus Circle official website.Click here for more information and pictures for the Columbus Circle