New York City has changed dramatically since the 1980s, when its abandoned streets and crumbling buildings were riddled with crime. For photographer Brian Rose, who lived through that era and took the opportunity in 1985 to photograph the Meatpacking District and then return in 2013 to document the same streets, it is an all too familiar pattern of change for many neighbourhoods of New York; with Times Square being another perfect example. During the 1980s, Times Square was an area where tourists tended to avoid, whereas today with its brightly lit advertising boards and clean sidewalks, it has become the most visited part of New York City.

Brian Rose has recently published a book called "Metamorphoses" which showcases his eye-catching photography of the Meatpacking District as it transformed from an open-air industrial meat market to a glittering hub of nightlife and restaurants.

Washington Street and West 13th Street in 1985 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Washington Street and West 13th Street in 2013 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Washington Street and Bank Street in 1985 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Washington Street and Bank Street in 2013 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Washington Street and West 13th Street in 1985 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Washington Street and West 13th Street in 2013 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Washington Street and Little West 12th Street in 1985 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Washington Street and Little West 12th Street in 2013 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Gansevoort Street in 1985 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Gansevoort Street in 2013 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Washington Street and Little West 12th Street in 1985 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Washington Street and Little West 12th Street in 2013 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Washington Street and Jane Street in 1985 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Washington Street and Jane Street in 2013 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

West 14th Street in 1985 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

West 14th Street in 2013 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

West 14th Street and Ninth Avenue in 1985 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

West 14th Street and Ninth Avenue in 2013 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Tenth Avenue and West 16th Street in 1985 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Tenth Avenue and West 16th Street in 2013 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Tenth Avenue and Eleventh Avenue in 1985 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Tenth Avenue and Eleventh Avenue in 2013 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Ninth Avenue and West 13th Street in 1985 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

Ninth Avenue and West 13th Street in 2013 | Photo Credit: Brian Rose

There have been several films shot in the Meatpacking District of which include “How To Be Single” that used the apartment building at 57-61 Gansevoort Street between 9th Avenue and Washington Street as well as the bar below; “Collateral Beauty” used the restaurant at the corner of Gansevoort Street and Washington Street; “Lola Versus” shot scenes on 9th Avenue near West 13th Street, inside Revel Restaurant at 10 Little West 12th Street as well as on the High Line Park.

The 2001 film, “Someone Like You” starring Ashley Judd and Hugh Jackman used the Hogs & Heifers Bar at the corner of Washington Street and West 13th Street as well as the apartment building next door, whilst the gritty drama “Shame” shots scenes in the Standard Hotel on Washington Street. In 2010, the film “Last Night” starring Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington and Eva Mendes used several areas of the Meatpacking District which included West 13th Street between Washington Street and 9th Avenue as well as the Bar at 403 West 13th Street.

In the 1980s, there were two famous films that featured the Meatpacking area, “Nine and a Half Weeks” starring Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke and “Fatal Attraction” starring Michael Douglas and Glen Close, of which shot scenes during the neighbourhood’s dark era with the prime location being the apartment building at 17 Little 12th Street between 9th Avenue and Washington Street, though the interior shots were done at 675 Hudson Street. This building was also used in the early 90s for seedy underground club for “Single White Female”.

In 2000, the film “Coyote Ugly” used the Meatpacking District as a main character. The grungy bar of the same name was located at 454 West 13th Street between 10th Avenue and Washington Street, in what would have been the Master Purveyors unit, of which is now a vacant plot of land next to the Standard Hotel. In conjunction with this article, otsoNY has revisited “Coyote Ugly” and updated with screen shots with higher quality images and included additional film locations.

Special thanks to Brian for allowing otsoNY to host some of his time-capturing photographs. The book "Metamorphoses" is available to purchase from www.brianrose.com.