It has to be said that anywhere in Manhattan has to be considered a desirable address at which to live; but, there is something even more special in many people’s minds if that address is located within the Chelsea neighborhood. Ever since the early 1800’s when Clement Clarke Moore commenced sub-dividing land on his farm estate to sell to wealthy New Yorkers for strictly residential purposes; Chelsea has been a much sought after place in which to live.
Chelsea is located in the west side of Manhattan and stretches from 30th Street in the north to 14th Street in the south; while the historic Ladies’ Mile District marks the eastern boundary; with the Hudson River & West Street marking the western end. Because of the nature of the manner in which Moore sold his land; there was virtually no industrial or major commercial development on it. However, this was not the case in areas outside the original Chelsea estate, orchard and farm.
West Chelsea
This western end was largely free of covenants restricting type and usage of buildings and, along with the Chelsea Piers for luxury liners to berth along the banks of the Hudson River (the Titanic would have berthed at Pier 60; had it not hit that iceberg en-route); there was also a railway line and rail yards. The railway was a source of many accidents when it ran at ground level; they even hired men (known as the “West Side Cowboys”); to ride horses and wave flags in front of the trains; but, so many accidents continued (between freight trains and other traffic) that 10th Avenue was known locally as “Death Avenue”. It was not until the rails were elevated and actually ran through the upper floors of factories taking deliveries by rail that the accident problem was solved.
Air travel has replaced the trans-Atlantic liners and most of the factories along the rail line have either closed or relocated making way for newer developments in this western end of Chelsea. The Hudson River Park with its entertainment and sports complex now stands where the northern piers used to be and much of the elevated railway has been converted into the High Line Park (after the railway closed in the 1990’s). Other parcels of the land freed up by the passing of the rail and shipping activities was developed for residential use in the form of condominium blocks and, anyone looking for a relatively recently built residence in Chelsea; would be well advised to check out the available West Chelsea Condos.
