Why Urban Hubs Like Clinton Hill, River North, and South Cove Are Fueling The Next Entrepreneurial Boom

Some places positively fuel innovation. For decades, Silicon Valley has been the prime example of this. Its unique mix of encouraging excellence, fostering competition and pleasant weather led this region to become a hub for all things tech. But today, a number of other locations across the US are rising up and allowing those of an enterprising mindset to thrive. Three locations, in particular, are prime examples. These locations are Clinton Hill, Brooklyn; South Cove, Manhattan; and River North, Chicago.

So why are these three locations especially well suited to the successful businesspeople of the future? A number of factors are contributing to this rise. They’ve been growing for a while. And the events of the last few years have allowed them to double down on this growth, offering those who want to succeed a stable, inspiring environment amid volatility and uncertainty. In essence, they are springboards for business success, in a way that was hard to recognize just a few years ago. Here are the specifics that explain why:

Clinton Hill, Brooklyn - Where Brownstones Breed Businesses

Creativity is hard to measure. But anyone who visits Brooklyn can tell that it’s the most creative, inspiring place in the entire world. Clinton Hill, which is just to the east of Downtown Brooklyn, is where those who are both highly creative and incredibly successful reside. As with much of residential Brooklyn, its streets are lined with beautiful brownstones. But what sets these streets apart from many of the others surrounding Clinton Hill is the sheer amount of nature on display. Technically, there’s no large park within Clinton Hill, but it’s easy to forget this, with the sheer amount of trees lining almost every street.

For those who live in Clinton Hill, the greenery is even more impressive, as almost every single brownstone has its own backyard. And these, for Brooklyn, are incredibly spacious. Other homes are enhanced with community gardens. Additionally, the small parks that are located in Clinton Hill are outstanding. The prime example of this is the Pratt Institute Sculpture Park. This park, which is open to the public every single day, sprawls across the 25 acre campus of the college and features an ever evolving display of over 70 sculptures from established and up-and-coming artists.

Additionally, the relaxing environment of Clinton Hill is enhanced with nearby attractions. The best example of this is Fort Greene Park, which is just blocks to the west of the neighborhood. This park has the distinction of being Brooklyn’s oldest official park and benefits from landscaping by Frederick Law Olmstead, the visionary landscape architect who essentially invented the concept of the park as humanity understands it today. His more famous creations include Central Park, Manhattan, Prospect Park, Brooklyn and Piedmont Park, Atlanta.

Of course, there’s much more to the area surrounding Clinton Hill than inspiring, relaxing locations. The center of Clinton Hill and the center of Downtown Brooklyn are just over one mile apart, making this business district within easy walking distance for residents (but there’s also ample bus service to and from these locations.) Additionally, a subway station for the A,C trains and two subway stations for the G train ensure that an entrepreneur can reach Downtown Manhattan in just 20 minutes and Williamsburg in just 15 minutes.

Considering all of the above, it’s hardly surprising that some highly successful people choose to call Clinton Hill home. In previous generations, it housed the founder of Pfizer, Charles F. Erhart; shipping merchant pioneer and fourth ever member of the New York Chamber of Commerce James William Elwell; legendary writer and poet Walt Whitman; and the first black councilwoman in the history of New York City, Mary Pinkett. In the present day, a similarly broad range of inspiring individuals call Clinton Hill Home, including television host Ted Allen, former New York Governor David Paterson, current New York Attorney General Letitia James and actress/activist Susan Sarandon.

Anyone looking to succeed in New York City could clearly do much worse than Clinton Hill! In fact, they’d be hard pressed to find a more picturesque location.

South Cove, Manhattan - Where Success and Serenity Meet

How is it possible for a part of Lower Manhattan, quite possibly the most urbanized place in the entire world, to have a neglected gem of a neighborhood? That’s what the residents of South Cove ponder as they leave their luxurious apartments and walk to their nearby Downtown jobs.

Most people who work in Downtown or Midtown Manhattan have to undertake lengthy commutes just to get to their offices. But almost all of the people who live in South Cove can reach their workplaces by walking just a few minutes. At the very worst, their commute is a short subway ride. For instance, the very top of Midtown Manhattan is just a 20 minute commute from South Cove.

So where exactly is South Cove? It’s on the southwest edge of lower Manhattan, directly opposite Wall Street and just above Battery Park. The feeling of walking from these bustling parts of the city into the serene environs of South Cove is surreal, even for those who do so on a daily basis. Somehow, this part of the city has managed to avoid becoming a tourist trap. Instead, those who live there are free to enjoy the idyllic South Cove Park, which borders the Hudson River and boasts amazing views of the surrounding skylines and The Statue of Liberty, without being swamped by selfie snapping visitors.

Clearly, South Cove is the perfect home for the digital entrepreneur who wants the best of both worlds. On the one hand, they will be free to formulate their next amazing idea from the comfort of their apartment. On the other hand, they can reach investors, high profile clients and anything that New York City has to offer in minutes flat. This area is also perfect for entrepreneurs who need to provide for their families. The nearby schools are outstanding, and the high quality grocery stores, such as Gristedes and Riverside Market, are just blocks away.

But what are the apartments in South Cove like? The poster child of these is surely South Cove Plaza. This building’s tagline is “The luxurious side of the waterside” for a good reason. This nine-storey building includes studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments, meaning that it can accommodate up-and-coming young businesspeople and thriving families alike. It also features a spacious garden exclusively for residents, so if South Cove Park is unusually busy (which is highly unlikely, even in the height of summer,) then residents can still enjoy a quiet, relaxing outdoor environment. Residents can also take advantage of a state-of-the-art fitness center, spacious closets, a 24/7 concierge, on site valet parking a laundry room on every floor and so much more.

And that’s just one of the residential buildings in South Cove Plaza. Every building within this highly desirable part of lower Manhattan has a similarly impressive offering. Of course, some buildings will be a little more budget friendly by offering fewer amenities. But the advantage of living in any apartment in South Cove is clear: It situates enterprising people in the very heart of the best place for business in the entire world, without the irritants that usually come with living in such a place.

River North, Chicago - Where The Chicago Spirit Is Stronger Than Ever

When Chicago originally rose in the 19th century, people spoke of the “Chicago Spirit.” This positive, fast-paced and innovative spirit is still alive and well in River North. It’s brimming with art galleries, restaurants and, most impressively of all, the offices of some of the greatest businesses in the USA, including Kellogg’s and PayPal.

Anyone even remotely creative would benefit from both living and working in River North, and not just because of its incredibly large concentration of art studios. Its architecture is stunning, with the prime example of this being theMART, a 1930s art deco style skyscraper that covers two city blocks and which is still the world’s largest commercial building. Inside, it’s filled with the latest and greatest in home furnishing and appliance innovations.

There’s much more to River North than art, dining and business, however. A number of highly successful people choose to live in this part of Chicago, including basketball player for the Chicago Bulls Derek Rose and television host/comedian Steve Harvey. They’re attracted to this location because it has so much to offer. Despite the fact that it’s heavily urbanized, it still has a strong sense of community. And, by being located in the center of Chicago, accessing everything that city life has to offer is easy. Almost everything is available to the residents of River North. Just across the Chicago River that borders the south of River North is a stunning scenic walkway. Following this walkway to the edge of Lake Michigan will guide visitors frhter south, to some of the most stunning parks to be found anywhere in America, if not the entire world. And that’s not hyperbole. Some of the stunning features within these parks include the awe inspiring Buckingham Fountain, the Field Museum, the Adler Planetarium and, eventually, a number of lakeside beaches. And that’s what’s on offer just by taking one route south of River North. Every route leads to something interesting, something inspiring and something unique.

Clearly, River North is a fantastic base of operations for anyone who wants to succeed in a thriving, diverse and innovative environment.

Of course, none of these locations will steal the limelight from Silicon Valley. Instead, places like South Cove, River North and Clinton Hill will stand shoulder to shoulder with the historic home of tech. These locations have their own unique characters, built up from centuries of pioneers choosing to invest their money, time and lives in those particular spots. And now, with hybrid work becoming the norm across the world, these places are set to thrive like never before.

In the coming decades, entrepreneurial communities will be key to the new inventions, innovative businesses and disruptive technologies that make everyone’s lives better. In the present day, no one can predict what these products will be. But it’s a certainty that many will come from South Cove, River North and Clinton Hill.