Not a long time ago, the Meatpacking District in New York was packed with actually just that – meat. And the trendiest things worn in the neighborhood were probably blood-stained aprons by the butchers of one of the 250 slaughterhouses that were located in the Gansevoort Market, as the Meatpacking District is officially called. Nowadays this Manhatten neighborhood that roughly runs from West 14th Street south to Gansevoort Street and from the Hudson River east to Hudson Street is one of the most fashionable neighborhoods of the city. Full of exclusive clubs, hip restaurants and designer boutiques, the Meatpacking District is attracting models, magazine editors, and a stream of high-fashioned socialites.
After a rough patch in the 1980s, the district went through a transformation beginning in the late 1990s when many high-end boutiques like Diane von Furstenberg, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Christian Louboutin, the Apple Store and many other stores including custom home furnishing boutiques opened. And then there are of course the stylish restaurants such as Pastis, which you will find packed on just about any day of the week, and might even offer some celebrity spotting. Or if you are craving some Asian cuisine you will definitely want to try the Spice Market, where the interior of the restaurant is just as exotic as the cuisine. Called “New York’s most fashionable neighborhood” by New York magazine in 2004, the Meatpacking district is also known for its numerous art galleries, fabulously expensive hairdressers and a thrilling nightlife and pulsating action on the century-old cobblestone streets. Cielo, for example, is one of the hottest spots, but is also notorious for being one of the toughest clubs to get into, so you might have to fight a little to catch a set by the latest hipster DJ.
Surprisingly, the neighborhood was able to retain its blue-collar edge thanks to the many meat companies that, despite the haute onslaught, still operate in the warehouses. But at night, the district transforms completely as the meat-cutters disappear and the hottest spots in the city slowly fill with celebrities from all over the town. Your best chances of spotting one are probably at the uber-swanky Hotel Gansevoort, which is a luxurious hotel known for its fabulous roof garden with breathtaking views over the city. The whole district prides itself with this ultra-trendiness, and with all these famous hot spots, velvet robes, chic lounges and high-heeled socialites you might just forget that this district has an industrial past. But if you head down towards the Hudson River, you will be surprised that still 35 wholesale meat companies peacefully co-exist with the galleries and fashion designer boutiques side by side. The Meatpacking district is a former industrial area turned into urban chic that with its cobblestone streets, metal awnings and brick façades is truly unique among the landmarks of Manhatten, which is why it just recently was proclaimed a protected historic area.
Want to head down to this diverse neighborhood? Come have a look at our apartments in New York – they aren’t too far away!
