After taking place over the East River for 10 years, the Macy's 4th of July fireworks show is returning to the Hudson River for the first time in a decade. The best spots to take in the extravaganza will be along the west side waterfront between West 14th and West 34th Streets and along the north New Jersey waterfront.
Twenty-five years after the Hudson River Park Act was signed into law, the onetime maritime center of New York City has been transformed into a verdant park with walking paths, sports courts, seating areas, and dog runs, all with views of the river. While pleasant at any time, it served as an escape, not to mention the host of many outdoor fitness classes, when New York was on lockdown.
Twenty-five years after the Hudson River Park Act was signed into law, the onetime maritime center of New York City has been transformed into a verdant park with walking paths, sports courts, seating areas, and dog runs, all with views of the river. While pleasant at any time, it served as an escape, not to mention the host of many outdoor fitness classes, when New York was on lockdown.
Hudson River Park stretches from Pier 97 at the nexus of Midtown and the Upper West Side to Pier 25 in Tribeca, but the section that has attracted the most attention in recent years may be found in Chelsea. Just south of the park at Pier 63 and the flagship Chelsea Piers fitness center (new locations have recently opened throughout Brooklyn, but none have replicated its massive square footage and extensive offerings), Pier 57 welcomed new Google offices, the new home of City Winery, the James Beard Foundation-curated Market 57, and a new rooftop park over the past few years.
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(Credit: Michael Grimm)
Down the block from Pier 57, Little Island represents a creative new transformation of the formerly dilapidated Pier 55. Instead of building the pier back exactly the way it was following extensive damage from Superstorm Sandy, media executive/Meatpacking District booster Barry Diller teamed up with Hudson River Park officials and Heatherwick Studios to create the “floating” park on a series of undulating pylons. Since its opening in spring 2021, it has hosted fashion shows, concerts, and comedy and dance performances in the amphitheater.
Some might think this stretch’s transformation is complete, but new projects are still on the boards. Earlier this week, Governor Hochul announced a request for proposals to redevelop the shuttered Bayview Correctional Facility at 550 West 20th Street into a residential building with affordable housing units and a minimum of 60 supportive housing units. As we wait to see how this will play out, other projects in the works include the underway Terminal Warehouse office redevelopment, a planned residential development with gallery at 188 Eleventh Avenue, and the development of the western portion of Hudson Yards (that could very well include New York City’s first casino).
Additionally, the foundation is in place for a luxury condominium at 540-550 West 21st Street. The developer filed for bankruptcy in August 2023, but another condo developer could very well snap up the site. This site is part of a larger trend: From the Hudson Yards mega-development to the building boom surrounding the recently re-extended High Line, dazzling new high-rises have taken shape to make the most of the river views through oversized windows and sometimes from private terraces. Expansive floor plates, high-end finishes and appliances, and extensive amenity and service packages further sweeten the real. Apartments in these buildings regularly rank among Manhattan’s top sales.
Future view of the old and new buildings of West Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Midtown West (DBOX for Related Companies - Oxford)
Below, we look at the top ten buildings overlooking the Hudson River from West 59th to 14th Streets. But as The New York Times says, Hudson River Park is the largest park built in Manhattan since Central Park; as such, its reach extends well beyond Midtown and Chelsea. Join us next week as we look at buildings with the best waterfront views in the West Village and Hudson Square!
#10 - Lantern House
21 floors | 180 units | 2021 | Architect: Heatherwick Studio
(Colin Miller)
When Lantern House was still on the drawing board, it attracted attention for its take on bay windows that some likened to bubble wrap. Those same windows allow for incredible natural light and views of the Hudson River, High Line, and Manhattan skyline.
Lantern House, #2104 (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
#9 - Lifesaver Lofts
7 floors | 12 units | 2008 | Architect: Studio D + Forum
The West Chelsea building boomlet has spawned a stretch of glassy new condos on the former sites of abandoned industrial buildings. One notable exception is Lifesaver Lofts, the residential conversion of the building where Mint Products Company manufactured the popular candy. The building looks much the same as it did from its industrial days, and the large floor plates and oversized windows make for attractive residential offerings.
Lifesaver Lofts, #PH67B (The Agency Brokerage)
#8 - 611 West 56th Street
37 floors | 77 units | 2022 | Architect: Alvaro Siza
611 West 56th Street represents the first United States project by Pritzker Prize laureate Alvaro Siza. The tower is a sleek addition to the Far West Side skyline and, by virtue of its soaring height and oversized windows, residents enjoy panoramic views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline.
611 West 56th Street, #10
$4,350,000 (-22.3%)
Midtown West | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,289 ft2
611 West 56th Street, #10 (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
#7 - 100 Eleventh Avenue
21 floors | 72 units | 2010 | Architect: Jean Nouvel
100 Eleventh Avenue was an early entrant in the West Chelsea building boom, opening a few years after the High Line did. The blue glass building attracted immediate attention for its eye-catching facade and impressive views after it opened, and experienced renewed interest after stage and screen actor Hugh Jackman bought a penthouse in the building last summer.
100 Eleventh Avenue, #16A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
#6 - 551W21
19 floors | 44 units | 2015 | Architect: Foster & Partners
West Chelsea has practically become a Walk of Fame for the world's most highly acclaimed architects, and Sir Norman Foster's "star" may be found at 551 West 21st Street. The building's clean-lined facade provides picture-perfect frames for the floor-to-ceiling windows in every unit.
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551W21, #4D (Compass)
#5 - 200 Eleventh Avenue
19 floors | 16 units | 2010 | Architect: Selldorf Architects
(Selldorf Architects)
200 Eleventh Avenue stands out in the streetscape for its terra cotta base and stainless steel setback tower with multi-pane windows that allow for beautiful views of the Hudson River and classic Chelsea architecture. However, it has garnered the most attention for the "sky garages" that allow residents to drive into a car lift that brings them and their car directly to their front door. The amenity race among West Chelsea condos has grown quite heated, but no others have added this feature (yet).
200 Eleventh Avenue, #7S (Corcoran Group)
#4 - 35 Hudson Yards
71 floors | 143 units | 2020 | Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
35 Hudson Yards is the tallest apartment building in the new development and one of the tallest residential buildings in all of New York City. The apartments start on the 53rd floor so as to make the most of river and skyline views. They are on top of the Equinox Hotel in the building, and residents enjoy access to the hotel's restaurants and services, not to mention a suite of luxurious, exclusive amenities.
35 Hudson Yards, #8303 (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
#3 - 15 Hudson Yards
70 floors | 285 units | 2020 | Architect: Diller Scofidio + Renfro
15 Hudson Yards has risen a short distance from the Vessel sculpture at the heart of Hudson Yards, and eye-catching cultural center The Shed is located in its eastern base. However, the building is a work of art in its own right with its gently bowed glass facade. This allows for incredible light and sweeping views of the Hudson River, the Manhattan skyline, and the Hudson Yards development.
Fifteen Hudson Yards, #PH88C
$21,950,000
Midtown West | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 5,139 ft2
Fifteen Hudson Yards, #PH88C (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
#2 - The Cortland
23 floors | 144 units | 2021 | Architects: Robert A.M. Stern Architects and Olson Kundig
The building boomlet along the High Line and Hudson River has led to an influx of glassy new towers. The Cortland is a notable exception with a red brick facade that pays a respectful tribute to the neighborhood's industrial history. However, the oversized windows and thoughtful floor plates allow for river views to rival those in the all-glass buildings.
The Cortland, #21AW (CORE Group Marketing LLC)
#1 - One High Line
36 floors | 236 units | 2023 | Architect: Bjarke Ingels Group
One High Line (Evan Joseph)
Once upon a time, the full-block development now branded One High Line was all over the news for difficulties with its original developer and the long-shuttered site. But now that closings have commenced and move-ins are set to begin, the site's silent period is all but irrelevant to luxury buyers. The twist of the towers allows for 360-degree views in an increasingly crowded area, and residents will enjoy access to exclusive amenities as well as the perks and services of the Faena Hotel set to open in the East Tower.
One High Line, #WEST8C (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
Honorable Mentions
View north of West Chelsea's waterfront buildings from Lantern House (via Corcoran Group)
As new development in Chelsea and Midtown spreads further west, buildings along Tenth and Eleventh Avenues once prized for their water views have found themselves crowded out and facing the new skyline instead. However, we salute their impact on the transformed streetscape and note that certain units in the buildings still enjoy Hudson River views.
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?
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