Ivy Brown is one of the long-time residents of the Meatpacking district. When she moved to the area in 1985, the neighborhood was filled with meat packing plants, sex stores and transvestite bars. Although most people considered the area to be too rough to live in, Ivy loved the casual grittiness of the streets outside of her loft. Twenty-five years ago, she felt comfortable walking to the corner deli in her bathrobe to buy a quart of milk. Today, she can’t leave the house without getting dressed up. In a world full of wealthy tourists, Ivy sometimes feels like she’s hiding in plain sight.
I was surprised to learn that Ivy is one of only 11 legal residents in the district. I had imagined that the area was full of expensive condominiums for the jetset, but zoning laws prevent new residents from moving into the commercial buildings. Ivy is a rare breed, a treasure of the neighborhood. I could have spent hours sitting in her gallery, listening to her tell me about New York city at the end of the 20th century. Professionally, she’s a mainstay in the art world, but Ivy’s true talent lies in her storytelling.
Despite all of the changes in recent years, Ivy still loves her neighborhood. She is a big fan of the High Line, a project that she thinks is both aesthetically beautiful and culturally important. If you were to ask her, she’d say it's the best thing that the neighborhood has gotten since she’s moved in.
If you’re in the Meatpacking district and want a dose of history, stop by Ivy Brown Gallery on 675 Hudson Street. Or download Sound Walk, an audio guide to the neighborhood recorded with her voice. We think that a conversation with Ivy is a cultural experience that can’t be missed.
