When Something Old Becomes New in New York City

It’s amazing how New York City (NYC) can re-purpose its old structures and give them a fresh new look. I’ve visited three of these structures during my second trip to NYC recently and I'm glad that I did. 

Chelsea Market. This has virtually become a tourist trap but I’d rather be trapped here knowing that I could never go hungry. Travel literatures describe Chelsea Market as the birthplace of the classic snack Oreo, having been the base of operations for National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) that makes Oreo. Nabisco has long left Chelsea Market but in its wake, many food joints took over turning it into the food mecca that it is now. Choices are diverse. All that one needs to do is to loosen the strings of his/her purse to savor the scrumptious tastes and flavors.

  

Chelsea Market

 the facade can be accessed from 9th Avenue

 

inside Chelsea Market - a couple of food joints one can explore

pumpkins for halloween

The Lobster Place - the lobster bisque is a must-eat

 

beef meat pie is the bestseller here

 

for the sweet tooth - artisanal cold treats from l'arte del gelato

 

 Chelsea Market's other delightful finds

 

 

 

The High Line. An elevated railway that was a vital conduit for transporting meat products and other produce from the Meatpacking District to the factories and warehouses in the Chelsea neighborhood. But times have changed with the advent of groceries and supermarkets which altered the product distribution system. In the process, the High Line has outgrown its original use. Scheduled for demolition, conservationists rallied for its retention and conversion into an elevated public park with greenways and pocket gardens punctuated with some water element for good balance.

The High Line

can be accessed from Chelsea Market's 10th Avenue side 

 

patches of green provide a veritable urban oasis

 

for weary feet and bodies, there are benches for lounging

a dose of some public art on the High Line

mom-and-pop type of food dot certain stretches of the High Line 

 

barbecue burger on the High Line, go grab some 

meatpacking district in the background

Meatpacking District. Butchers in slaughterhouses reigned supreme in this district. The meat products were packed and transported through the High Line and into the warehouses, meat shops and stores in the area. Now gentrified, what used to be a place for butchers is already an enclave for fashionistas with the likes of Diane von Furstenberg, Alexander McQueen, Tory Burch, etc. setting up shops here. Its charming restaurants, bars and cafes have made Meatpacking District the "in" place for night outs as well.

 

 Meatpacking District

Standard Hotel above the High Line; it has a posh

bar at the top floor (cameras not allowed)

 fashion shops, bars and restaurants abound in the area
 

 hanging out at the district center with its cobblestoned streets
 

A new lease in life . . . that's what we sometimes need. One can only envy NYC in its ability and political will to give fresh new look to its old structures. Way to go.