heller gallery. photo taken at w14 street and washington street in meatpacking district.
not so long ago, the trendiest thing worn in the meatpacking district was blood-stained apron. now, gansevoort market (as the district is officially known) is new york's most fashionable neighborhood, chock full of hip restaurants, exclusive clubs, and paycheck-draining boutiques. despite the haute onslaught, the neighborhood has managed to retain its blue-collar edge, thanks to the many wholesale meat companies which still operate out of the warehouses between gansevoort and west 15 streets. by night, however, the district is transformed, as butchers and meat-clutters disappear, and magazine editors, models, and a stream of sarah jessica parker look-alikes take their place. -by jon steinberg
