Earlier this week, Gansevoort Peninsula opened to the public on the border of the West Village and the Meatpacking District. The most eagerly awaited aspect might have been Manhattan’s first public beach, and other features include a sports field, seating lawn, kayak access, salt marsh with native plantings, and “Day’s End” art installation gifted by the Whitney Museum, which moved from Madison Avenue to Gansevoort Street in 2015.
Gansevoort Peninsula marks the latest transformation for the West Village waterfront, which got facelifts first from Hudson River Park and then from new condos. At the turn of the 21st century, Richard Meier’s minimalist apartment buildings on Perry Street brought a new level of cachet and luxury living to an area where residential offerings were previously limited to converted townhouses, uninspiring postwar coops, and one of New York’s most famous artists’ communities. It was also the start of a new age of design for the West Village; in the wake of a wave of edgy, all-glass new buildings (e.g., 160 Leroy Street and One Jackson Square), design trends shifted to a more modern take on traditional architecture along with the tasteful conversion of prewar industrial buildings themselves.
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The West Village isn’t the only downtown waterfront neighborhood that has gotten a makeover in recent years. The area south of the Village, north of Tribeca, and far west of Soho proper spent years as a formerly industrial no-man’s-land before it got rebranded as Hudson Square. Not only have major corporations like Google and Disney chosen the neighborhood for their new headquarters, but a new collection of eye-catching, amenity-rich new condominiums has taken shape. The surrounding area is still relatively low-rise, which means the residents of the new buildings can enjoy relatively unfettered river and city views along with easy access to the city's hottest downtown neighborhoods and an increasingly vibrant local community.
Below, we look at the top 10 condominiums overlooking the Hudson River from Gansevoort Street to Canal Street. This rundown comes on the heels of our lists of Upper West Side and Midtown condos with the best Hudson River views, and Lower Manhattan's best buildings will follow!
Top 10 Waterfront West Village and West SoHo Condo Buildings
#10 - 495 West Street
11 floors | 9 units | 1999 | Architect: CT Architect
495 West Street was an early entrant in the Hudson River waterfront's revitalization, and its brick facade and industrial steel-framed windows nod to local maritime history. The massively scaled apartments feature keyed elevator access, flexible floor plans, and dramatic river views.
#9 - The Shephard
12 floors | 54 units | 2015 | Architect: Beyer Blinder Belle
The West Village has experienced an incredible residential revitalization, though not at the expense of its historic architecture - see the warehouse turned highly coveted luxury condominium at 275 West 10th Street. The red brick facade and arched windows were carefully restored during the condo conversion, and interiors feature original details like barrel-vaulted ceilings and oversized windows.
#8 - The Keller
7 floors | 24 units | 2023 | Architect: BKSK Architects
The 125-year-old building at 150 Barrow Street appears to encapsulate the history of the West Village in one site: It was constructed as a hotel catering to seamen and travelers on the cruise ships that docked in the area, converted to an SRO in the 1980s, and transformed into a luxury condominium in the 2020s. The exterior is a New York City Landmark, but the interiors have been transformed into spacious apartments with oversized windows, top-of-the-line finishes and appliances, and sweeping Hudson River views.
From the Listing: Introducing Residence 3A, a 3,202 square foot, corner 4-bed, 4-bath condominium with 9’8" ceilings, featuring sweeping southwestern views directly overlooking the Hudson River and Park. Each residence at The Keller offers 7’ wide custom-stained European White Oak flooring, quarter-cut walnut clad entry doors, and high-efficiency central heating and cooling. The residence’s bespoke kitchen features custom cabinetry and a seamlessly integrated refrigerator and dishwasher. See floor plan and full details here.
#7 - Greenwich West
27 floors | 170 units | 2020 | Architect: Loci Anima
Greenwich West is a new addition to the recently rebranded Hudson Square, but its brick facade, graceful setbacks, and oversized casement windows are a respectful nod to local architectural history. Select units have private terraces to further make the most of Hudson River views, and all residents benefit from easy access to Soho shopping, Tribeca dining, and Village nightlife.
From the Listing: Perched at the top of Greenwich West, Penthouse 29B is a remarkable two bedroom two and a half-bathroom condominium home which offers north and west exposures with Hudson River views plus two distinct outdoor terraces. Over-sized casement windows allow for abundant light to stream across wide-plank European white oak floors. Every detail of the interiors has been carefully conceived and designed by Parisian architect Sebastien Segers.
See floor plan and full details here.
#6 - 100 Vandam Street
25 floors | 72 units | 2022 | Architect: COOKFOX
Past literally meets present at 100 Vandam Street, where a concrete and glass tower has risen on top of a former coal power plant. The apartments in the industrial building boast original architectural details, and the apartments in the new tower boast floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking sweeping river and skyline views.
From the Listing: Located in 100 Vandam Street's Tower Collection, Residence #18A features three beds, three full baths, and 139 square feet of private loggia gardens with local flora. The heart of the home is a corner Great Room with river views and seamless access to an open Poliform kitchen with center island and Gaggenau appliances. See floor plan and full details here.
16 floors | 29 units | 2002 | Architect: Richard Meier
As architecture critic Carter Horsley says, Richard Meier's mid-rise buildings lining Perry Street "significantly reinforced the lower Hudson River waterfront as the neighborhood of choice for the 'hip,' 'chic,' and rich." The clean lines and modern design brought a new look to the waterfront, and floor-to-ceiling windows afford incredible light and Hudson River views.
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From the Listing: This spectacular triplex apartment comprises the 8th, 9th and 10th floors and over 11,000 square feet of living space. The 8th floor features a huge recreation room with terrace overlooking the Hudson, 4 bedrooms with ensuite baths and a library/guest bedroom with half bath. The 9th floor features a dramatic 51’ x 26’ double height great room with walls of windows overlooking the Hudson River. The entire 10th floor consists of the primary bedroom suite, a studio/exercise area, luxurious spa bath, sauna and dressing areas. See floor plan and full details here.
#4 - 165 Charles Street
16 floors | 31 units | 2005 | Architect: Richard Meier
Developed shortly after the Perry Street buildings (see above), 165 Charles Street was designed inside and out by Richard Meier and took shape on a site with excellent Hudson River views. Only two apartments per floor allow for excellent privacy, and residents enjoy amenities like a fitness center, an infinity-edge pool in a double-height space, and a garden off the lobby.
#3 - Superior Ink
17 floors | 62 units | 2010 | Architect: Robert A.M. Stern
Superior Ink took shape on the former site of a factory and pays respectful tribute to its predecessor with a light brick facade, subtle setbacks, a rusticated stone base, and oversized windows looking out on gorgeous Hudson River views. Residents of the apartment and townhouse units alike enjoy access to a full service staff and amenities like a fitness center, a screening room, and valet parking.
From the Listing: Purchased directly from the sponsor as one apartment, the current owners have completely renovated and seamlessly combined what exists as two apartments on other floors in the building. A chic wood paneled entrance gallery opens into a dramatic corner living room with mesmerizing Hudson River views. The floorplan was designed to provide privacy for everyone, but with plenty of space for fun and togetherness. See floor plan and full details here.
#2 - 160 Leroy Street
13 floors | 49 units | 2017 | Architect: Herzog & de Meuron
North of the "Jenga tower" in Tribeca, Pritzker Prize laureates Herzog & de Meuron made a statement on the West Village waterfront with the all-glass, gracefully curved 160 Leroy Street. The apartments inside enjoy multiple exposures, river views, and open floor plans that let natural light into every corner.
From the Listing: his phenomenal two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom condominium is one of the only residences with outdoor space in Ian Schrager’s renowned West Village development. Surrounded by more than 137 feet of floor-to-ceiling, triple-pane glass to the north, east, and south, this impeccable home seems at one with its garden and water view surroundings. Inside, 12-inch-wide Scandinavian Larch wood plank floors add an organic richness to the interiors. See floor plan and full details here.
#1 - 150 Charles Street
15 floors | 91 units | 2014 | Architect: COOKFOX
Apartments at 150 Charles Street regularly rank among the city's highest-priced sales, and it is easy to see why with loft-style interiors, oversized windows, and gorgeous river views in every unit. Amenities include concierge service, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a private covered driveway, but the best perk may be its address near Hudson River Park, fine West Village dining, and Meatpacking District nightlife.
From the Listing: With nearly 1,800 square feet, this beautifully designed and perfectly appointed two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom enjoys gorgeous southern views and sunsets down to the World Trade Center and along the Hudson River. With floor-to-ceiling windows and high ceilings, just off the entrance foyer is an expansive and bright great room that is perfect for both entertaining and quiet enjoyment. A custom Planika fireplace invites you into the heart of the space, while the Porcelanosa chef’s kitchen boasts an extended custom island for seating. See floor plan and full details here.
Honorable Mentions
As the West Village and Hudson Square get further populated with new development, buildings once prized for their river views are getting crowded out. But these buildings remain valued for their architectural contributions, and upper-level units in these bustling neighborhoods still look out on tranquil river views.
Coming Soon
11 floors | 15 units | Architect: BKSK Architects | Completion estimated for 2025
6 floors | 17 units | Architect: Morris Adjmi Architects | Completion estimated for 2026
34 floors | 133 units | Architect: COOKFOX | Completion estimated for 2026
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?