he buildings surrounding Washington Square have served as a frame for the park over the last two centuries. Facades have been altered, buildings demolished, new structures erected, but the character of the neighborhood has retained the feeling of old New York while providing a canvas for artistic and cultural evolution.Enter the walking tour and stroll around the four sides of the park in two centuries. The most significant changes are visible on the south side, though alterations were made all along the square. The arch stands as the single most defining architectural landmark, inviting visitors to enter the oasis in the heart of Greenwich Village called Washington Square Park.