The West 14th Street Promenade in the Meatpacking District.
Photo by: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media
The Meatpacking District’s renaissance is on a roll, as a new promenade opened on West 14th Street, with cool shops, cozy seating, lush landscaping — and less space for driving.
The new pedestrian space opened on June 18 along West 14th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues in Manhattan. It is outfitted with an array of amenities, from chic seating, gathering areas, and spots for public art to more retail and concession space.
Dubbed the West 14th Street Promenade, the area provides more open space on streets and sidewalks and connections to nearby Hudson River Park, making it “primed to become a vibrant retail and entertainment promenade with space,” planners said.
“This project is a powerful example of the untapped potential of the space outside and how reimagining our streets with people at the center can transform the urban experience,” said Jeffrey LeFrancois, executive director of the Meatpacking District Management Association (Meatpacking District BID).
LeFrancois, whose organization led the project along with other planning teams, including those from transportation planning firm Street Plans and the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), explained that the promenade builds on a pedestrian-focused approach to public realm planning.
“Its success is the result of unwavering persistence from the Meatpacking community and stakeholders, all of whom are committed to creating more accessible, vibrant, and livable third spaces in New York City,” he said.
18 feet of roadway changed to “expand pedestrian space”
As one of the busiest streets in the district, planners said the reimagined street will improve safety, increase visitor dwell time and improve the pedestrian experience within the corridor.
However, the redesign comes at a cost to another group of people: drivers. The project cut out a significant portion of driving space to make way for seating and gathering spaces. The block, which is paved with historic cobblestone, was wider for cars before it was slimmed down to make more room for the new space.
According to the project description, the promenade uses 18 feet of roadway off the curb on each side of the street to create “five custom decks with distinct seating.” This space and furniture — which resemble outdoor patios — adds over 4,000 square feet of new deck space, designed for movement and “future programming.”
Planners said the redesign provides dedicated commercial parking and pickup and dropoff zones.
DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez applauded the construction of the promenade and described it as revolutionary for the Meatpacking District.
“All New Yorkers benefit when we reimagine our streets to be vibrant public spaces, and transforming West 14th Street to expand pedestrian space, improve safety for all users, and create a new pedestrian connection between the bustling Gansevoort Plaza and premier public spaces like Little Island and Pier 57 will revolutionize the Meatpacking District neighborhood,” he said.
Mike Lydon, co-founder and principal of Street Plans, said the promenade will contribute to the district’s ongoing transformation.
“And streets that maximize space for people, not cars, bring myriad social and economic benefits that now can continue to accrue along 14th Street as the Meatpacking District continues its evolution into one of the most dynamic destinations in all of New York City,” he explained.
Community support and a ‘welcoming’ area
Meanwhile, residents, politicians and neighborhood groups including Manhattan Community Boards 2 and 4 rallied for the promenade. They are excited about its improvement potential for the area, which already has an array of attractions, including the iconic 1.45-mile High Line, a public park built over an elevated railway structure.
“This project is a shining example of how we can reimagine our streets to put people first,” City Council Member Erik Bottcher said. “By transforming West 14th Street into a vibrant, green, and welcoming promenade, we’re making our city more livable, more walkable, and more connected.”
The promenade is part of ongoing changes aimed at modernizing the district. Little Island, a public park that opened on nearby West 13th Street during the COVID-19 pandemic, has become a popular destination, acting as an oasis for New Yorkers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
And, J.T. Jobbagy, Inc., one of the last actual meatpackers in the area, announced in November that the company was moving out of the district, where the owners had worked in the neighborhood for over 125 years.
According to the project planners, destinations on the West Side, including the High Line and Little Island, are becoming increasingly popular. In 2024 alone, BID sources said, almost 2 million people crossed Tenth Avenue at W 14th Street, an increase of over 175% versus 2023
