As a Chelsea resident for over 20 years I can definitely attest to the dramatic changes that have come with the gentrification of the neighborhood. Oh how I miss Blue Moon for the best bottomless brunch ever! I was never really cruising in Chelsea tho - there were always far better places for that to me probably because I'm not into the typical Chelsea boy type. Almost all those guys have moved to Brooklyn, Jersey or Hell's Kitchen so the neighborhood is now far less interesting but prior to covid there was still a very active cruising scene on 8th ave mostly surrounding the booth shops and the few remaining gay bars.
Its been fascinating to see... glad I got my rent regulated apt in the 90s otherwise I would never be able to afford to stay here.