We recently checked on which of the pending condo developments are actually getting built along the High Line in Manhattan's West Chelsea neighborhood. Two notable projects have already broken ground. One is the large mixed-use Caledonia designed by Gary Handel. Another, which we take note of here, is the latest from Selldorf Architects--a mid-block apartment house of medium size at 520 West 19th Street just east of Frank Gehry's IAC headquarters (terraced unit above). More after the jump...
Just as at the Oculus condo at 50 West 15th Street by FX Fowle, terracotta will be used here by Annabelle Selldorf in the facade at 520 West Chelsea. Large floor to ceiling glass windows running in ribbons across the building will be separated by dark bands of midnight-blue glazed terracotta. It's a durable and functional material that hearkens back to the early days of skyscraper design, but used here on the glassy grid of a modern apartment house.
520 West Chelsea will have 26 condominium apartments including eight two-bedroom units, 16 three-bedroom units, and two 5-bedroom duplex penthouses. The lobby will have terrazzo floors, and apartment interiors will have the requisite list of high-end finishes including kitchen cabinets by Arcelinea.
Bishopscourt Realty is the developer and Core Group is marketing the units in what the web site is calling Gallery District. This part of town is still somewhat isolated from the busy foot traffic of other Manhattan neighborhoods, and we suspect it will remain so for some time. But that is likely its appeal for a certain type of buyer who doesn't want to live above an H&M store. Yes, there are people who will move in here and think of themselves as (don't laugh) pioneers...
