The West Village is the western portion of Greenwich Village in Manhattan. It has no real defined boundaries, although the area is usually defined as being bounded by the Hudson River and the area of Sixth or Seventh Avenue, and extending from 14th Street to Houston Street.
West Village, which is a part of Greenwich Village, even has its own sub-neighborhood, the Far West Village, which extends from the Hudson River to Hudson Street.
The West Village neighborhood is distinguished by streets that are considered "off the grid" as they are set at an angle to the other streets in Manhattan. This sometimes leads to confusion for tourists and locals alike.
Starting in 1916, the area came to be known as "Little Bohemia." Today, West Village is still considered the center of the bohemian lifestyle on the West Side, with many classic artist's lofts remaining in the area. You’ll also find new residential towers designed by Richard Meier that face the Hudson River on Perry Street.
The Meatpacking District, also known as the "Gansevoort Historic District," is located at the top of this neighborhood and is noteworthy for its many trendy boutiques and night clubs.
Here you will also find the High Line, a section of the former elevated freight railroad for the West Side Line. The High Line is currently being reconstructed as an elevated park, converting the tracks that once served the businesses in the area into a green area, rather than demolishing the structure. It is planned to become a connection between the historic district and the art galleries in Chelsea.
West Village History
Recognized as "Little Bohemia" establishing in 1916, West Village may be the heart of the bohemian lifestyle about the West Side, with traditional artist's lofts (Westbeth Artists Community), Julian Schnabel's Palazzo Chupi, and new residential towers designed by American designer Richard Meier in front of the Hudson River at 173/176 Perry Street. The High Line links the traditional district towards the art galleries within Chelsea and points north. The improved train tracks operating parallel to Tenth Avenue have already been changed into an open greenway. The tracks once supported the businesses in West Village, but have been completely long deserted. Instead of destroying the structure, the distinctive characteristics have recently been accustomed to profit the whole city.
