The Manhattan Neighborhood known as Chelsea (14th to 29th, Broadway to the Hudson River) has always had its share of inspiring buildings and residents. The Hotel Chelsea with its historic guest lists of artists, writers, actors and musicians alone has helped make the neighborhood a famous mecca of Bohemia.
Known for its grit as much as for its glamour (as the NY Times so aptly puts it) Chelsea, like most NY neighborhoods, has seen its fair share of change over the last few decades. While there truly is still some pockets of grit, by most parts the neighborhood– once known as a beacon for salty sailors– has cleaned up quite nicely.
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A visit today, amongst the pre-war brownstones and old factories you will find yourself surrounded by countless art galleries, incredible food, shopping and a series of bustling Piers chock full of every sporting facility you can think of (the layered driving range overlooking the Hudson is a personal fav).
Andy Warhol, who helped make the area famous in the swinging sixties with his movie Chelsea Girls would more than likely be left scratching his white wig in shock at how much growth has happened in the neighborhood since his heyday.
But this is one of the main things I love about Manhattan. Just when you think it can’t change and grow anymore (after all it is an island)– it does. Usually that growth happens up.
A handful of incredibly exciting new buildings have been added to the city’s skyline in this past decade alone. The new Hearst Tower, the new Times Building and Chelsea’s own new IAC Headquarters designed by Frank Gehry among them.
This year Chelsea welcomes another new kid to their city block and I have to say if a building could be described as: slinky, sexy and mysterious- this baby designed by French architect Jean Nouvel would be it.
Interestingly enough Nouvel’s new residential tower located at 100 W.11th Ave happens to be situated directly across the street from Gerhey’s building (FYI, his first constructed entirely out of glass!)
What makes Nouvel’s building so noteworthy (at least to me) is his firm’s decision to give it a bit of a split personality in order to blend in with its surroundings.
Looking at the tower while sailing down the Hudson River– the tower is glittery, glam, curvy and ultra modern. Yet if you were to catch a glimpse of the building from a more grounded city vantage point, its dark, flat brick facade with it’s array of cut-out windows would barely give you a taste of what existed on the other side. (Or as the Times describes it: only a thin layer of metal running down the edges of the brick side is the only visual clue as to what is happening around the corner.)
In many ways the building’s dual personality is a good description of NY itself- slightly intimidating yet seductive at first ….with a tantalizing surprise just waiting for you around every corner!
I’m inspired to style a new Chelsea Girl. Taking cues from the architectural forms, lattice-like design and cutout trends happening in fashion today, like the building I would give her two unique sides: one modern day glitz and the other totally urban chic. I hope Andy would approve.
Farrow&Ball “Borrowed Light”, C2 Paints “Enoki”, Benjamin Moore “Deep River” and Farrow&Ball “Picture Gallery Red”
pillow fabric Amy Lau for S.Harris, Mixed Metal Cairo Bib Necklace by Fallon $375, Christian Louboutin Trell 70 Pumps $1045, Judith Leiber Streamlined Frosted Clutch $2595 (all from Net-a-Porter.com), Runway look of Versace gown form Elle.com, bamboo chair and hurricanes from William Sonoma Home
Image of Gucci runway from Elle.com, Alejandro Ingelmo Bianca Zipper Booties $575, Nixon Wallpaper by Jonathan Adler, Fabric by Creations Metaphores, Zimmermann Cutout Halter swimsuit $230 and Max Azria Cutout Crepe Dress $450 Net-a-porter.com
