Hudson Yards, the Hudson River waterfront, and the Starett Lehigh Building (Rendering credit of RiverCGI)
In the years since the High Line spawned a trend of architecturally adventurous buildings in West Chelsea, the trend has made its way west to Eleventh Avenue where an array of projects are planned, both small and large, that are ready to bank on the success of the massive Hudson Yards development.
The oft-overlooked stretch of Eleventh Avenue between 23rd and 29th Street is partially within the West Chelsea Historic District, where everything from minor modifications to completely new buildings must pass muster with the Landmarks Preservation Commission. However, designers have on the whole made a conscious effort to combine West Chelsea’s industrial history with their own creativity.
The oft-overlooked stretch of Eleventh Avenue between 23rd and 29th Street is partially within the West Chelsea Historic District, where everything from minor modifications to completely new buildings must pass muster with the Landmarks Preservation Commission. However, designers have on the whole made a conscious effort to combine West Chelsea’s industrial history with their own creativity.
Starrett Lehigh Building via RXR
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The anchor of the stretch is the landmarked Starrett Lehigh Building, where office tenants enjoy open floor plans, double-height ceilings, and oversized windows overlooking the Hudson River. Other amenities include a tenants-only fitness center, bike room, shuttle service to several transportation hubs, and an array of food trucks at the curbs and truck bays.
Soon-to-debut, courtesy of its owner RXR Realty, is a ground-floor food hall measuring over 13,000 square feet, large enough to accommodate as many at 15 vendors. The food hall is part of a 43,000-square-foot project designed by ICRAVE, that will breathe new life into massive former freight terminal building built in 1931. Landmarks approved the new exterior signage and ground-floor infill and cladding with only a few modifications in spring, and the first video preview of the market can be seen below:
Soon-to-debut, courtesy of its owner RXR Realty, is a ground-floor food hall measuring over 13,000 square feet, large enough to accommodate as many at 15 vendors. The food hall is part of a 43,000-square-foot project designed by ICRAVE, that will breathe new life into massive former freight terminal building built in 1931. Landmarks approved the new exterior signage and ground-floor infill and cladding with only a few modifications in spring, and the first video preview of the market can be seen below:
According to 6sqft, the vendors will surround a column-free expo and event space that can go from day to night and host everything from open ambient exhibitions to high-profile private events. In-line retail space–now available for lease–will line the building’s 26th and 27th street flanks. Retail spaces will be double-sided so they can face both the street and the central expo space.
Across the street from Starett-Lehigh, Vornado Realty Trust has teamed up with acclaimed British architect Richard Rogers for an overhaul of the Otis Elevator Company Building at 260 Eleventh Avenue. Renderings show a glassy addition with exposed structural and circulation systems, not to mention a multi-story atrium overlooked by glass-enclosed floors. Also, a new eight-story building with transparent glass and structural elements is planned for the former site of a parking lot.
Otis Elevator Company Building rendering via Vornado
Commercial tenants will undoubtedly flock to the new and enhanced office buildings, but West Chelsea’s history as a haven for artists and art galleries has not been forgotten: A new headquarters with a black stone facade designed by Bonetti/Kozerski will more than double the footprint of the contemporary Pace Gallery. Column-free space and 20’ ceilings will make the most of the exhibition space, and a custom lighting system will automatically adjust ambient lighting to complement works on display. The crowning glory will be a dramatic floating penthouse with 19’ ceilings and the capacity to support art exhibits, conferences, video performances, and more.
Pace Gallery renderings via Bonetti/Kozerski
On the residential side, 220 Eleventh Avenue is slated to be home to one of Dame Zaha Hadid’s final projects. Located one block south of the Starrett Lehigh Building, permits call for several stories of museum and gallery space with apartments on top. Construction has stalled, but the site's artistically-inclined developer, The Moinian Group, has installed “Hugs,” a 51-foot Mark di Suvero sculpture on the site. It will be on display through February 28, 2019. Could this timing be an indication of construction soon resuming? We'll see how the luxury housing market is then...
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Residential development has spread south to 23rd Street, where there is the Annabelle Sellford-designed 200 Eleventh Avenue (Sky Garage) and a forthcoming condo tower dubbed Chelesa SkyBox. The site will be home to 10 full-story condos with floor-to-ceiling glass exposures, private balconies, and open layouts. The ground floors of this building and the neighboring SRO building will share 15,000 square feet of commercial space that will be devoted to an art museum and private gallery with works by Picasso, Haring, Kandinsky, and Kapoor.
Across 23rd Street, at 555 West 22nd Street, Related Companies have started construction of a new condo designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, that will have a full-suite of amenities, and 360-degree views of the river and city.
Across 23rd Street, at 555 West 22nd Street, Related Companies have started construction of a new condo designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, that will have a full-suite of amenities, and 360-degree views of the river and city.
Chelsea Skybox via Onyx Properties
555 West 22nd Street rendering via Robert A.M. Stern Architects
One of the most recent new developments to launch can be found at The Fitzroy, a new luxury condominium with a radiant green facade designed by Roman & Williams. All residences will have northern and southern exposures, 11’ ceilings, oversized windows, private elevator entrances, custom Smallbone by Devizes kitchens, and a customizable home automation system. Amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, landscaped roof lounge, climate-controlled storage, and a wine cellar with a secure wine locker for each home. Availabilities range from $5.6 million for a two-bedroom to $21 million for a full-floor four-bedroom with two private terraces.
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For those looking to rent, a number of rental options have also sprung up along Eleventh Avenue. Directly adjacent to the High Line, a large complex developed by AvalonBay Communities comprises Avalon West Chelsea and AVA High Line has a total of 710 apartments with listings starting at $3,045/month.
Up the block, the few remaining availabilities at Ohm, the rental known as "a nightclub to call home," start at $3,112/month.
Up the block, the few remaining availabilities at Ohm, the rental known as "a nightclub to call home," start at $3,112/month.
These projects are just down the road from mega-development Hudson Yards, where Fifteen Hudson Yards and 35 Hudson Yards will face Eleventh Avenue. The SOM-designed 35 Hudson Yards will be home to class-A office space, an Equinox-branded luxury hotel and spa, and 143 residences with interiors by AD100 designer Tony Ingrao. An affordable lottery is ongoing for Fifteen Hudson Yards, and market-rate apartments start at $3.92 million.
Rendering showing West Chelsea with the full buildout of Hudson Yards beyond
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Content Specialist
Michelle Mazzarella
Michelle is a contributing writer and editor for real estate news in New York City
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