Chelsea

May 16, 2014

Has Governor Cuomo Found a Way to Fix Pier 40?

Governor Andrew Cuomo has reached a tentative deal with developers that could save Pier 40, according to the New York Times. In the new deal, Governor Cuomo would transfer unused development rights to another site on West Side Highway in exchange for $100 million to repair Pier 40. Restoration would involve gradually demolishing St. John’s Terminal Building and replacing it with residential buildings and shops over a period of 10 years.
Learn more about Governor Cuomo's deal to save Pier 40 here
May 12, 2014

A Jean Nouvel Chelsea Stunner Sells for $3.8 Million

When Jean Nouvel won the esteemed Pritzker Prize in 2008, the judges cited his "insatiable urge for creative experimentation."  His design of residential building 100 Eleventh Avenue is no exception to the boundary-pushing modern architecture for which he is celebrated. Completed in 2010, the shimmering masterpiece has the most technologically advanced and highly engineered curtain wall systems in the city. Mr. Nouvel describes it as a "vision machine," and considering its nearly 1,700 panes of glass — some up to 37-feet wide — each a different size and set a different angle, he is justified in doing so. The 21-story LEED-certified condo building, has 72 units each with south- and west-facing views, floor-to-ceiling window walls, and mechanized shade systems. Every apartment has a unique arrangement of powder-coated steel window mullions, which form specific views related to the space's location. Unit 5D, which recently sold for $3.8 million through a listing held by Douglas Elliman, looks west onto the High Line and has a spacious, elegant layout.
See the stunning interior this way
May 5, 2014

35XV: Chelsea’s New High-Tech Condo Tower by FXFOWLE Nears Completion

East Chelsea's stunning new landmark, the 35XV, is almost complete! We recently stopped by the site to survey the work that's been done over the past few months, and by the looks of things, 35 West 15th Street is just waiting for an outer-skin for its podium. Given the rapid progress that's been made so far, we think it's safe to say that we'll be seeing the transformation very soon.
More photos of the progress that's been made
May 1, 2014

NYC Condos Designed by Pritzker Prize Winners

The Pritzker Architecture Prize is architecture’s most acclaimed honor. Since 1979, the award has been given away annually to honor one living architect whose built work demonstrates consistent and significant contributions to humanity and the built environment. New York City is home to structures built by 12 of the 36 past winners — ranging from Philip Johnson to I.M. Pei to this year's winner, Shigeru Ban — and currently holds 14 residential examples of their work. One other fascinating tidbit is that condos designed by Pritzker Prize winning architects are selling on average a whopping 44% higher (price/square foot) than those their respective neighborhoods, and 47.5% higher than the Manhattan market average. But are they worth the money? Learn more about them all ahead.
Are these Pritzker Laureate-designed condos worth their markup?
April 17, 2014

Chelsea’s Walker Tower Finally Getting Its Finishing Touches

One of our intrepid reports stopped by the Walker Tower earlier today to check out how things are coming along at the 212 West 18th Street landmark. The tower — which has drawn buyers ranging from Cameron Diaz to Mike Thorne (that guy who discovered the Sex Pistols) — had its scaffolding removed just seven months ago and has already set new sales records for Downtown Manhattan (this includes an impressive $50.9 million deal for the 6,000-square-foot 5BR/5.5BA penthouse). The conversion of the former Verizon building into luxury condos has been underway since 2011, but word is that construction on the interior will be wrapped up in the coming weeks. Let's take a look at what's been completed so far.
More photos here
March 24, 2014

Shigeru Ban Named the 2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize Winner!

Just moments ago, Japanese architect Shigeru Ban was announced at the 2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate. The 56-year old architect, who has offices in Tokyo, Paris, and NYC, is known for his elegant and innovative applications of unconventional materials such as paper and corrugated plastic in his structures, for both private international clients and in disaster relief efforts. Jump ahead to see some of his best works, including the Metal Shutter Houses, located right here in NYC.
More Shigeru here