Just a stone’s throw from the elevated walkway of the High Line, nestled outside the boundaries of the Gansevoort Market Historic District, you’ll find a captivating piece of New York City history at 53 and 55 Little West 12th Street. These two modest three-story rowhouses, now famously home to the Brass Monkey bar and restaurant, stand as silent witnesses to the dramatic transformations of the Meatpacking District. Towering behind them is the striking Standard Hotel, a modern architectural statement designed by Polshek Partnership (now Ennead Architects) and erected in 2009, creating a stark yet fascinating juxtaposition of eras.
Historic Rowhouses at 51-57 Little West 12th Street, New York, in 1989, showcasing the Meatpacking District's industrial past.The visual dialogue between these historic brick rowhouses, built with load-bearing walls, and the sleek, glass curtain-wall design of the upscale Standard Hotel perfectly encapsulates the ever-evolving character of this vibrant neighborhood. Stepping back just 25 years to 1989, through a vintage photograph, reveals a “ghost town” ambiance that belies the area’s bustling past. Far from being abandoned, this section of the Meatpacking District thrived as a hub of commerce, teeming with vendors and workers moving goods in and out of warehouses, a stark contrast to its current reputation as a trendy nightlife destination.
While significant portions of the area have been preserved through the landmark designation of the Gansevoort Market Historic District in 2003, the specific buildings on Little West 12th Street, including those housing the Brass Monkey, were not included in this protective status. Originally four structures built in 1888, only numbers 53 and 55 survive today. Interestingly, their former neighbors at 51 and 57 Little West 12th Street were, in 1989, seemingly in better condition, still adorned with their pressed metal cornices. Historically, 51-55 Little West 12th Street functioned as a meat processing plant, complete with offices and cold storage, while number 57 was integrated into the larger wholesale meat market situated around the corner at 20 Tenth Avenue.
Over time, the surviving buildings at 53 and 55 Little West 12th Street have undergone changes. They’ve lost their metal canopy, and the distinct triangular parapet of number 55 has been leveled. Although these parapets weren’t original architectural features, they were likely added during significant renovations around 1930, a period when replacing cornices with stepped parapets was a common stylistic choice. Despite these alterations and the relentless march of time, these two resilient buildings continue to play an active role in the ongoing narrative of the neighborhood’s development.
Contemporary view of 51-57 Little West 12th Street in 2011, illustrating the urban transformation through Google Maps Street View.Next time you find yourself strolling along the High Line, take a moment to glance towards Little West 12th Street and appreciate the enduring presence of the Brass Monkey buildings. They offer a tangible link to the Meatpacking District’s rich and multifaceted past, a history etched in brick and mortar amidst the neighborhood’s relentless evolution.
