Designated by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (NYCLPC) in 1966, the district contains "the city's largest concentration of row houses in the Federal style, as well as a significant concentration of Greek Revival houses.

"[3] It is sometimes included as part of the South Village (to the east)[4] or Hudson Square (to the southwest),[5] though it is historically distinct from both neighborhoods.

[1] It was used by George Washington during the American Revolution as a headquarters and later became John Adams' Vice Presidential Mansion when the new country's capital was New York City.

[8] The north sides of Charlton and Vandam Streets display "exceptional examples"[3] of Federal-style architecture, especially #37 and #39 Charlton Street,[9] as well as houses showing elements transitional to the early Greek Revival style.

[1] King also includes the former Public School 8, now converted to residences, designed by David Skagg and built in 1886,[9] which has been characterized as a "lively Queen Anne-style building".