The planned 19-storey residential tower at 551 West 21st Street is in the heart of the Chelsea Arts District, the centre of the international art market and home to more than 200 galleries. Located at the corner of 11th Ave and 21st Street, the site is also within easy reach of the Highline and Hudson River Parks, Chelsea Piers and Market. The tower’s design responds to this unique urban context, creating light, spacious residences with panoramic views of the river and Midtown, while relating in scale to neighbouring buildings and drawing on the area’s industrial heritage in its materials and details.
The tower stands on a plinth, intersected by a series of deep recesses, which signal the entrance lobby and define a new gallery space in the corner of the building. Externally, the structure is expressed as a grid of white precast concrete, inset with bronze coloured detailing, and a core of triple height glazed panels. The tower comprises 44 spacious residences, most with three or four bedrooms, high ceilings and wide panoramic windows. Drawing inspiration from the grandeur of the city’s historic apartments, the interior concept combines the warmth of traditional family living with privacy, comfort and contemporary luxury. The building is crowned by three penthouses, each with a sequence of grand rooms for entertaining, a library and club room, as well as large private terraces and sheltered loggia – the uppermost penthouse also leads to a private rooftop pool.
Creating a sense of arrival, a private gated entrance leads into a grand internal ivy-clad drive court. Visitors are greeted in a spectacular double-height lobby, with concierge, doorman and full valet service. Continuing the creative character of the district, the lobby features niches for works of art and is partially illuminated by a wall of prismatic glass, which animates the interior with sparkling patterns of light. From here, two glass fluted elevators transport residents directly into their homes – the innovative layout means that majority of apartments benefit from private access, with few shared corridors, and deliveries, waste removal and house moves utilise a dedicated elevator and circulation route. In addition, the tower features exclusive residents’ facilities, such as a state-of-the-art fitness centre, family play area, residents lounge and spa.
