Introducing Chelsea

Galleries, the High Line, and an explosion of stunning residential real estate – take a step into Chelsea and one finds oneself in a whirlwind of creative change.

Once a sleepy neighbourhood of brownstones and tenements, warehouses and lofts, Chelsea has been reborn as a nexus of art and, increasingly, architecture. Frank Gehry’s colossal IAC headquarters building lights up the Hudson River at 18th Street, while its neighbor, a residential building by Jean Nouvel, is equally stunning. Early skyscraper Walker Tower, once home to telecoms giant Verizon, is about to become a residential building with some of the most sought-after terraces and views in the city.

Art has been a major driver of Chelsea’s latest chapter thanks to a few pioneers ousted from their Soho digs by landlords preferring retail rents. Chelsea is now swarming with visitors to some of the world’s leading galleries.

And where art and architecture flourish, inventive cuisine and good coffee are sure to follow. For an authentic local experience, stop by Café Grumpy on 20th Street, or enjoy a pizza from baking genius Jim Lahey at Co on Ninth Avenue at 24th Street.