515 West 18th Street rendering and photo via New Hudson Facades
West Chelsea came to prominence with its art galleries, and many are still holding fast in the face of rezoning and gentrification. However, one hardly needs to go inside to see masterpieces in this neighborhood these days: The first tower of Bjarke Ingels Group’s The XI has topped out, and the second is on the rise. Directly past, the smaller of two towers in Heatherwick Studio’s first residential project at 515 West 18th Street has just topped out.
Facade details via Related Companies
In this article:
The two-building complex will straddle the High Line and present a reinterpretation of the classic warehouses that have long populated Chelsea. To that end, renderings show a brick exterior and oversized, bulging bay windows. Founder Thomas Heatherwick says that the design “re-conceived the residential bay window as a three-dimensional sculpted piece of glazing.” However, between the “bubble-wrapped windows” and the commercial and gallery space connecting them under the High Line, Architectural Digest points out that this New York residence is highly reminiscent of Heatherwick’s Silo Hotel and connected Zeitz MOCAA Museum in Cape Town.
Rendering via Related Companies
As striking as the design for Heatherwick Studio’s project is, it has some heady competition. In addition to Bjarke Ingels Group, this section of West Chelsea has attracted designs from the likes of Jean Nouvel, Jeanne Gang, and Shigeru Ban. The High Line’s transformation from decrepit train tracks to one of the city’s most desirable sights serves as an inspiration to urban planners everywhere. And after years of drama and debate, Heatherwick Studio’s design for a floating public park at Pier 55 is taking shape.
The 10-story and 21-story towers comprising 515 West 18th Street will have 180 one- through four-bedroom residences between them. Residents can expect striking views of the High Line, the Hudson River, and Hudson Yards, where Heatherwick Studios has designed The Vessel. Amenities are expected to include a spa, fitness center, on-site parking, and entertainment and social lounges. An accepted offering plan does not have a sellout price listed, but CityRealty’s High Line Index reports an average condo price of $1,787 per square foot.
515 West 18th Street construction progress circa mid-December 2018 via CityRealty
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Content Specialist
Michelle Mazzarella
Michelle is a contributing writer and editor for real estate news in New York City
6sqft delivers the latest on real estate, architecture, and design, straight from New York City.
