The schist thing is kind of a myth. A lot of the Lower Manhattan skyscrapers are built on landfill. The skyscraper districts are where they are because of tran

The schist thing is kind of a myth. A lot of the Lower Manhattan skyscrapers are built on landfill. The skyscraper districts are where they are because of transport links; Downtown and Midtown are the places with the most access to all parts of the metropolitan area, because Downtown was the historic center with all the ferry landings and bridges, and Midtown because the rail terminals stopped there.