'Little Spain' back on the map of New York: Manhattan revives the memory of its Spanish community
The intersection of West 14th Street and Eighth Avenue will be named "La Nacional/Little Spain," in recognition of the historic enclave of Spanish immigrants. The installation of the new sign coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month 2026.
Image of Little Spain
New York will put Little Spain back on the map—the former enclave of Spanish immigrants that, for much of the 20th century, had its center in an area of Manhattan around West 14th Street.
The intersection of West 14th Street and Eighth Avenue will be officially named "La Nacional/Little Spain," a designation approved by the New York City Council as part of a local law establishing new names for 103 streets and public spaces in the city. The law was passed by the council on June 30, 2026, and took effect on July 30.
The new sign was installed on Monday, Sept. 21, during Hispanic Heritage Month, according to Time Out. In the United States, this celebration runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15; New York City also officially recognizes it during that period.
The return of "Calle Catorce"
Before becoming a bustling commercial corridor in Manhattan, the stretch of West 14th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues was known as "Calle Catorce" or "Little Spain," according to Time Out.
Throughout the 20th century, the neighborhood brought together generations of Spanish immigrants and developed a community with restaurants, shops, religious institutions and social organizations.
Among the establishments serving the community were La Bilbaína, Trocadero Valencia, Bar Coruña, Café Madrid, Mesón Flamenco and El Faro, while Iberia specialized in selling Spanish clothing. There was also Casa Moneo, a store selling Spanish food and gifts that opened in 1929 at 210 West 14th Street.
Two institutions played a central role in the life of Little Spain: the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, founded in 1902 when Spanish immigrants began settling in the area, and La Nacional–Spanish Benevolent Society, founded in 1868. According to Time Out, the latter served as a gathering place and a support network for Spanish immigrants arriving in New York.
A Spanish "fiesta" in the heart of Manhattan
During this celebration, residents paraded down 14th Street carrying an image of the saint, while traffic was cleared and the area filled with Spanish food, music and folk performances.
Little Spain also had a connection to one of New York's best-known actors. Time Out notes that, during the 1950s, a young Robert De Niro reportedly lived with his mother, artist Virginia Admiral, in a top-floor studio at 219 West 14th Street, owned by Galician businessman José García.
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