Anbau Enterprises is officially moving forward on 41 West 23rd Street, in Chelsea, over three years after the site’s re-design passed the Landmark Preservation Commission. Located half a block away from the Flatiron Building and less than two avenues away from four different subway stations on 23rd Street, the lot has been expected to yield something interesting for about a decade, which means actual progress is very welcome.
41 West 23rd Street, image courtesy JC Heights
The COOKFOX-designed 25-story residential building will have 48 condominiums, as well as four affordable units. The 278-foot tall structure will yield 117,140 square feet, with 100,350 square feet of residential space, and 790 square feet of commercial-retail on the ground floor. Permits show only five parking spaces will be included, a break from earlier plans, which would have created 50 parking spaces.
Anbau acquired the site from Horizen Global in 2011 for $23.4 million. The original plan was for bulbous glass hotel by architect Carlos Zapata, popularized by its nickname, the Pope’s Hat.
That initial design is partially why the site was somewhat controversial, and sat fallow for so long. Despite the creativity of Zapata’s idea, the final design by COOKFOX is substantially more in tune with the extant neighborhood surrounds.
41 West 23rd Street, image courtesy JC Heights
Excavation is now in full swing, with extensive machinery having arrived on site. Completion is likely by about 2021. Once finished, the building will be a sizeable addition to the neighborhood, rising just seven feet shorter than the Flatiron Building.
41 West 23rd Street, rendering by COOKFOX
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just aslong theydont push me out I live down the block
Thank you please keep me updated
It’s always good to see vacant lots developed again. Why are surface parking lots in Manhattan allowed to exist without a vacancy tax?
The 48 condos won’t be cheap which makes its all the more unfortunate only 4 “affordable” rental units will be included. A figure more like 25% of units should be permanently affordable. The continually squeezed middle class also deserve some government guided support if we want our City to truly thrive.
Looks pretty damn nice. Big thumbs up.
They’re also architects themselves and very much design-minded. They do gorgeous work.