I thought you might enjoy seeing exactly what the “High Line” looks like. As I explained it was an old elevated rail line that I am guessing ran from the rail yards on the west side… mid town…. to the Meat Packing district….aprox 9th-10th Ave and 12th street. this is where the meat would be brought from around the country. It was actually a pretty ugly part of NYC. It was also an area that, once business was over for the day, and the shops were closed, turned into a very unsavory and unsafe part of the city. When the meat businesses started to leave the area large spaces became avail, and slowly the buildings were cleaned up and were bought by very smart people who saw the value of the real estate and had vision for its’ future. Slowly as the rental costs rose though out the city, art galleries started moving into these large low rent spaces. Some of these large empty spaces were taken over by smart business people, cleaned up and rented out to photographers for photo shoots. They were rented out by the hour. This was great for photographers who didn’t have their own studios and the places were fully equipped to handle all needs. That’s really when I became familiar with the area…..I guess the early to mid 70’s. Slowly it became the new up and coming area with boutiques, fabulous apts, restaurants etc………….Without getting into all the details…..the High Line, which had become an abandoned and derelict eyesore was transformed into this incredible elevated walking path. Needless to say it has helped greatly in revitalizing the area, and apts on the High Line are very desirable. The photo to the upper left and middle left is the Standard Hotel where we had a beautiful suite over looking the Hudson River. The plantings along the path were designed by a man from Scandinavia. The plantings and trees are very varied…..some areas providing lovely shade, and some very open to the sun. Great thought was given to how the plantings would look with each season…even in the dead of winter. As you walk along you get the feeling of walking through living art…..the plantings, the buildings [new and old], the art work….even the painting on some of the sides of the buildings is a feast for the eye. There is one picture I took in the collage of Jac and my reflections in a window. Did you find it? There are areas to rest, sit and “people watch”, and even eat along the way. There are even new buildings that are built over the High Line creating tunnels of shade. It’s quite wonderful to see the old buildings of NY mixed with the new architecture………and all of the new building going on is incredible. There were three fashion shoots on the High Line that day…..It was so hot we really felt badly for the models . There are many things to take photos of along the path, and you can hear people speaking in many different languages so I guess it has become quite a tourist attraction. Many of the streets are still the old cobble stone. Those visionary people who knew to invest in this seedy part of town early on…..are laughing all the way to the bank !!!! If you are in the city….it’s a wonderful place to visit any time of year….and it’s free!
Louis, yes, you have an absolutely wonderful, thoughtful, with it and beautiful wife. You two make a marvelous couple. Thank you so much for all the photographs and information. It’s a wonderful gift for “your ladies.” I’m a former New Yorker, and I never heard of the High Line before now! Yet another special and unique attraction in NYC. Maybe I’ll check it out when I’m there in a couple of weeks. Fall is by far my favorite time in NY, but I needed to visit in the summer this year in order to see my Godchild and other college-aged family members before they left for school.
I first went to the meat packing district in 1978 to see Sterling Grey perform in the Wooster Street Garage. To my enormous surprise, it really WAS still a working garage!!!! My theater class sat on a piece of elevated plywood that overlooked the area where Sterling performed. I don’t think I would trust sitting on that today!
Thanks, again, Louis. And, belated Happy Birthday. I’m glad you had such fabulous time. I’m already planning my husband’s 70th, but we’ll be doing something very different. 🙂
Dear Deborah….the High Line is definitely a wonderful place to visit while in NYC…..a respite in the hustle and bustle of the city! If the last time you were in the meat packing district was 1978….I think you are in for a shock. Forget about the plywood bench not being there….chances are the whole building is gone! I can easily say it is the area of the city with the most taring down and building up. I have never seen such construction in the city. The funny thing is….if you’re up town you would have no idea what was happening all the way down town….it’s another world.
Dear Louis — Happy Belated Birthday!!
Your walk along the High Line reminded me of recent Sunday strolls along the Seine River. There is a relatively new pedestrian-only stretch on the Left Bank from the Eiffel Tower to Musee D’Orsay with similar landscape architecture, unique garden art, cafes, playgrounds, small gardens — just lovely! Thanks for sharing your creative postcards!
Louis,
Thank you for the stay-cation! Your trip was fabualous and very unique. Now that your July 28 show has been cancelled, do you have an ETA for the tunic with wood beads yeat?
Thank you.
Dear mackenzie the beaded tunic plus the drape front cardigan and v-neck short sleeve flecked pieces will be on the Aug 1 show at 5pm.
Thank you so much! I can’t wait, and by having a heads-up I’ll be able to buy it first thing August 1!
I’m green with envy over your Highline tour!
I enjoyed your New York information and photos. I have traveled all over the world, much of the US and can you believe – – not NYC yet. How can that be? I am an hour train ride to downtown Chicago so I get my share of a big city fairly often. But, seeing your blog, I should put NYC on my bucket list. Thanks again for the inspiration.
I agree with Jackie. I was born and raised in LA and retired in Seattle, so I am truely a West Coast gal. Have traveled all over the world, stopped one day to see the statue of Liberty, other then that, I’ve never wanted to go to NYC. After seeing your blog, I think I should add it to my bucket list also. Thank you for sharing your day, I really enjoyed it.
Dear Karen….I have been all over the world, and there just isn’t anything like NYC……Spring and Fall are the best times to visit. Summer is hot and humid and way too many tourists.
Yep, you do have a FAB wife—-and she has a fantastic hubby—-loved loved loved the pictures and descriptions. A belated Happy Birthday too.
Thank you so much for the photos and description. And a very happy belated birthday!
Loved the travelogue even sent it to my husband ( another Leo ) who is a native New Yorker. I,too, am very familiar with what that neighborhood was like before. What a wonderful transformation.
I enjoyed your photos. This new attraction is a wonderful addition to NYC. I loved the landscaping and artwork as well as the wine bar. (My new photo on FB was taken at the wine bar.) My sister and I had brunch at Buvette in West village and then walked the Highline. I too was struck by how many languages I heard while walking there. I think we forget what an international city it is.
Thank you for sharing! Loved seeing NY and appreciate this “off the beaten” track view. I haven’t been to NY since I was a girl scout. Loved it then… Maybe some day I’ll get back. ’till then, it is great to see it through your eyes! You both look so happy and relaxed. Glad you had a wonderful trip!