A former warehouse in West Chelsea, New York has been spared from the wrecking ball and converted into a modern Chelsea townhouse. The historic property has 20-foot ceilings, a 750-square-foot private garden and is now on the market for $18,500,000 USD. Welcome to 536 West 29th Street!
New York Chelsea townhouse
The four-story studio on 536 West 29th Street was built in 1904 and was once the domain of famed Broadway set designer John H. Young. Back then, the property was surrounded by warehouses and horse stables and right up until the 1970s, the area was a very industrial, gritty neighbourhood. That time is over, and the Manhattan area known today as West Chelsea is a luxury residential area with high-rises, upscale restaurants and galleries.
Restoring to avoid the wrecking ball
For the past 20 years, the townhouse has been home to a fashion studio and the current owners have spent more than a decade to restore the building and spare it from the wrecking ball. “I would cry if someone tore down the building”, said Nadine Knudsen, who, along with her business partners, moved their fashion and textiles business into the building about 20 years ago.
Modern features and original characteristics
The careful restoration process included new modern features as well as peeling back layers of paint to find the original red brick walls, which now have a beautiful blue-grey patina.
Relics of the past are venerated in the rear garden, which is decorated with giant gears that were once part of a pulley system for hauling Mr. Young’s stage settings.
The property has lots of natural light coming from the oversize windows and skylights and is currently divided into a fashion studio on the lower level; a kitchen with over 20-foot ceilings on the mezzanine that leads to a terrace overlooking a 750-square-foot private garden; a combined great room and dining area; a top-floor library, two bedrooms, four bathrooms and an office.
The master bedroom has 13-foot wooden doors that were salvaged from a convent’s motherhouse in California. The upstairs library is made of walnut wood that was crafted and sourced from upstate New York.
The open-concept kitchen, dining and living area have cabinetry custom designed from California redwood and salvaged Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels.
Price: $18,500,000 USD
Address: 536 West 29th Street, New York, New York, 10001 United States
- 3 bedrooms
- 3 full baths (1 partial)
- 6,400 sq ft.
- Villa/townhouse
- Built 1904
- Annual property taxes $42,790
