Narrative Photo Essay Research

  • Posted on: February 25, 2018
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Photo Essay: 

The usage and implementation of old architectural and design styles in the present-day Meatpacking District.

Observations:

The first time I went to this area, I had been merely passing through on my way to Chelsea. It was a Tuesday morning, and the area was pretty desolate, except for the stray business person or so. There were a few people lingering around, but they seemed to be locals for the most part. The streets are very wide, but there weren’t many cars passing by. The buildings were mostly the same architectural style. Many had overhanging ledges, of which I found out was formerly used to hang meat, back when it was truly a meatpacking district.

To get a better sense of the area, I traveled there on a Sunday afternoon. This time around, it proved to be more full of life, full of tourists and the like. The streets were teeming with people with cameras and shopping bags, which only grew as the went by. People moved within their groups, but there were also people who trying to find their way to hotspots, like Chelsea Market or the Whitney Museum. I stayed around until six o’clock, and the dinner rush began. As I left, club and restaurant queues began to form, and the general pedestrian liveliness grew. There were no cars driving on the street, but the highway nearby was full with traffic. 

Research:

The Meatpacking District spans the length of W14th Street to Gansevoort Street. Development of the area began in the mid-19th century, with the building of townhouses, tenements, and industrial buildings. It was mix of both residential and industrial buildings, unlike other areas which were for the most part more isolated. The conversion of Fort Gansevoort to the Hudson River Railroad, along with the introduction of more heavy industry businesses, lead to a rapid growth of commerce. Around 1879, two regional produce markets were introduced to the area, thus leading to the meatpacking boom. One produce market, the Gansevoort Market, grew to be especially notable in its lifetime. The district grew prosperous and soon land became expensive and farmers would sell for vast sums. The land would then be turned into housing and buildings. Around 250 slaughterhouses were operating in 1900 and later on the High Line was built, which transported coal, dairy, and beef. In the timespan of 1960’s to the 1980’s, the area faced a significant decline in terms of reputation. It became infamous for its unsavory club night life, drug use, and illicit sexual activity. It remained this way until the 1990’s, when high end fashion designers, such as Diane von Fürstenberg, Alexander McQueen, and Christian Louboutin, set up shop in the area. The additions of the High Line Linear Park and Whitney Museum helped the area become even more successful, amassing numbers of people from all around the globe.

(All Observational Photos):

Draft Photo Essay:

Bibliography:
Reinitz, Bertram. “Gansevoort Market.” New York Times, January 9, 1927. Accessed February 22, 2018. https://login.libproxy.newschool.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.libproxy.newschool.edu/docview/104256138?accountid=12261.

“History.” Meatpacking District Official Website. Accessed February 20, 2018. http://www.meatpacking-district.com/history/.

Edelson, Sharon. “Meatpacking District Still A Fashion Magnet.” Fairchild Fashion Media(New York), January 13, 2005. https://login.libproxy.newschool.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.libproxy.newschool.edu/docview/1434257641?accountid=12261.

“Neighborhood.” Meatpacking District Official Website. Accessed February 23, 2018. http://www.meatpacking-district.com/neighborhood/.

 


(March 5th, 2018 – UPDATE)

FINAL PHOTO ESSAY:

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