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DOWNTOWN A VERVE CENTER

No one who witnessed the devastation of lower Manhattan after 9/11 could have imagined that six years later, the area south of Chambers Street would become a vibrant hub of apartments – not only for high-powered Wall Street execs, but for young families committed to living there.

On the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, reminders of the tragedy linger, especially with the recent deadly fire in the Deutsche Bank building and the ongoing construction that will continue for several more years.

Today, the neighborhood will host memorial events to honor the heroes and the victims of the terror attacks.

But beyond those painful memories, the area has become a destination for young New Yorkers and their families.

Construction of thousands of pricey condominiums such as the 330-unit William Beaver House; the Setai at 40 Broad St. with 167 apartments; and the 106-unit Cipriani Club Residences at 55 Wall St., have attracted businesses, as well.

A Montessori School has popped up, along with supermarkets, and upscale restaurants, including a new Cipriani on Wall Street, to serve the growing population.

Luxury retailers such as Tiffany and Hermes have followed.

“In the days following September 11th there were dire predictions of a real-estate market crash,” recalls residential real-estate broker Dolly Lenz. “Not only did the market not crash, but it continued to set price records every year thereafter.”

Lenz adds that the Financial District, which was supposed to bear the brunt of the economic impact of the attack, is in fact the fastest growing area in the city for families.

In the second quarter of 2001, 592 apartments in the area were sold. In the second quarter of this year, that number was 1733, according to real-estate appraisal firm Miller Samuel.

In that time, the median sales price rose to $932,000 from $410,000, the firm said.

“When I came down and I saw all the kids on the playground, that convinced me,” said recent buyer Karen Jones, a 45-year-old working mother. “I was scared my kids wouldn’t have enough social activity. But there are so many families downtown. Everyone is raising a family here.”

“We wanted to be part of the rebuilding,” said Brian Lover, 44, who moved here from West Orange, N.J., after 9/11 with his wife Kristina Rinaldi. “We felt we had to be back in New York. And we love the community.”

Lawyer Harry Johnson, 62, has lived on Hudson Street for 30 years.

“I didn’t have plans to go anywhere after 9/11, and I have no concerns,” he said. “Nothing can happen here that can’t happen somewhere else. When I got here it was desolate. If it was up to me I would have made it stop growing five years after I arrived.”

braden.keil@nypost.com