Renting In The Heights

One of the most anticipated films to come out this summer is the musical In The Heights, directed by Jon M. Chu and based on the Tony-Award winning musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda. When the musical first hit Broadway over 10 years ago, no one could anticipate that it would win awards and take Miranda to the pinnacle of greatness. Miranda’s follow-up musical would be Hamilton.

Filmed and set in the core district of NYC’s Washington Heights, the film tells the story of a bodega owner, Usnavi, yearning to raise enough money so he can leave the city for a better life in the Dominican Republic. Miranda, who played Unsavi on stage, has given the role to his fellow Hamilton castmate, Anthony Ramos, in the upcoming film. In the movie, Miranda plays the part of the Piragua Guy, who sells ice cream from his cart.

The film had its World Premiere on June 11th as the Opening Night film for the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival. Serving as a love letter to the neighborhood in which Miranda grew up, most of the scenes were shot in the area, which stretches from 155th to 195th Street.

From the stores, the streets, the lounges, and pool, In The Heights is a glorious admiration to an area that’s rarely discussed or highlighted in films. With the pandemic starting to simmer down, there are plenty of places to live within the heights that will make one long for dancing in the streets or swimming in the pools when summertime gets really hot.

Here are a few of the most iconic locations Chu and Miranda showcased in the film and a little more about them for those who not only love the area, but could also be inspired to move there after experiencing the neighborhood through the movie. For those who are looking to experience these wonderful places in real life and live “In the Heights,” Zumper has also included some great apartments located near each of these famous filming locations. 

Highbridge Park public pool

Highbridge Park public pool, where after closing the store early due to rising temptation, Usnavi, his nephew Sonny, and Benny, decide to visit because that’s where everyone else is going. Located on 177th and Amsterdam Avenue, most of the cast and extras are gathered for what turns out to be the “$96,000” musical scene, one of the most famous and anticipated in the film. Built in 1936, it’s one of the city’s oldest public pools. When it opened, the hours were 10:30am to 10:30pm with admission being 20 cents for adults and 10 cents. Closed last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the pool will reopen on June 26 and will be free for all from 11am to 7pm with a break for pool cleaning between 3pm and 4pm. 

Zumper listing: Cozy 4 bedroom close to Highbridge Park public pool

For less than $1,000 per person each month, this newly renovated 4-bedroom apartment close to Highbridge Park is a steal. It features tons of cabinet space, a built-in microwave, and glossy hardwood floors.  

Floridita restaurant

Throughout the film, we get to see places such as Floridita restaurant (3856 10th Avenue and W 206th), where Jimmy Smits is having breakfast with Leslie Grace. Smits plays Kevin Rosario, a businessman and owner of the neighborhood taxi service, and Grace plays his daughter Nina. Times have been rough for him, but the thing that gets him through the day is the fact his daughter is back in the city from Stanford for the summer. While there are other Floridita restaurants in the New York area, the restaurant on 10th Ave is the one most people visit. Known for its Cuban and Dominican food, some of its favorite dishes include the Cuban Sandwich, the Steak Sandwich and Chicken Caesar Salad. 

Zumper listing: Spacious one-bedroom close to Floridita restaurant 

When you’re not out exploring the restaurant scene in the area, you can relax in this spacious one-bedroom apartment. The home has hardwood floors throughout, a bathtub, and is even pet-friendly. You can snag this up for an amazing deal, at less than $1,400 a month.

181st subway station

The heart of the film and neighborhood is Claudia (Olga Merediz, reprising her Tony-winning Broadway role), who serves as a surrogate grandmother to Usnavi and the voice of reason for everyone when advice is needed. In a magical musical scene that takes place around the 181st subway station where the A train runs, Claudia reminisces about coming from Cuba to New York with her mother and struggling to survive in this new city. In the opening of the Broadway musical and film, Usnavi’s famous line says to take the A train “even farther than Harlem to Northern Manhattan and maintain, get off at 181st and take the escalator.” Built in 1932, the station stretches between 181st and 184th streets. The station also provides a cheaper commute to the Howard Beach/ JFK Airport before getting on the Airtrain. 

Zumper listing: Recently renovated 3 bedroom close to 177th St. filming location

This modern 3-bedroom apartment boasts stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, ample closet space in the bedrooms, and a new shiny tub in the bathroom. All you need to do is find 2 other roommates to split the $3,295 a month rent and you can call this beautiful home all yours. 

George Washington Bus Bridge 

After seeing each other again since coming back from Stanford, Benny and Nina get to rekindle their romance and navigate their complicated relationship as she decides what to do with her future. There’s a moment in the film where one can see the George Washington Bus Bridge (177th and Broadway) from the balcony of Benny’s apartment as they have this ‘Fred Astaire’ musical scene. Built in 1963, the buses that cross the bridge are mostly commuters from Northern New Jersey and Rockland County, NY. The terminal also connects with the A train on 177th street. During a weekday about 20,000 passengers come through the bridge from 1000 buses. 

Zumper listing – modern 3 bed apartment conveniently located near George Washington Bus Bridge

When you want to retreat from the hustle and bustle of the George Washington Bus Bridge, you can step inside this gorgeous 3-bedroom apartment that has large windows to let in tons of natural light, a luxurious dishwasher, and hardwood floors throughout. You can make this apartment yours for $2,995 a month.

809 Restaurant and Lounge

In the winter of 2019 when the trailer to In The Heights came out, the cast and crew gathered at 809 Restaurant and Lounge to celebrate its upcoming release. In the film, Usnavi and Benny go dancing at the restaurant. Located at 112 Dyckman Street, and not far from the Dyckman train station, 809 was established in 2006 as a family owned and operated business. The number comes from the area code of the Dominican Republic and the place is known for its live dancing, DJs and food. During the summers, from Thursday to Saturday from 6pm to midnight, the place is jammed packed with patrons and newcomers looking to eat and have an enjoyable night. 

Zumper listing: Quirky 2 bedroom located on Dyckman St

This fun and colorful apartment is parked right on Dyckman St. and has cute pink wallpaper, stainless steel appliances, and large windows throughout. The best part about this home is that it’s rent stabilized so it’ll stay around $1,600 a month!