It is amazing, isn’t it, just how many “neighborhoods” are in Manhattan. “Hells Kitchen” was an area you did not want to spend much time in during the 70′s & 80′s – it was quite gang dominated. Today, altho it’s not a major tourist attraction, it does have wonderful buildings & history – as you pointed out. (Some areas are still rundown, and it has it’s fair share of abandoned buildings.) If not for the recent recession, it would have gone through a stronger renewal. As the times get better, I’m sure it will.

As far as the name “Hell’s Kitchen” there is much speculation as to how it got it’s name. There seems there is no one definite source. (Unlike the area know as Tribeca – which is the “Triangle Below Canal” — TriBeCa.) The one source for the “Hell’s Kitchen” name is from the various kitchens, deli’s & food sources that existed in the area. During the summer, the kitchens made most of the area very, very hot – which coined the expression “Hell’s Kitchen.” There are other stories as well, but I’ve always preferred this one – it seems to add a bit more “flavor” to the neighborhood.