The colossal factory anchoring West 23rd Street

Used to be that factories were built along the waterfront, like this gigantic red-brick beauty at the Hudson River end of 23rd Street.

It was the headquarters of Christy, Constant & Co., a wallpaper manufacturing firm; the lithograph dates to the 1860s.

Now, our waterfront is devoted to leisure. Chelsea Piers, Hudson River Park, and the High Line are the main attractions around the factory site.