Exterior work is nearing completion on Lantern House, a pair of residential buildings straddling the High Line at 515 West 18th Street in Chelsea. Developed by Related Companies and designed by Thomas Heatherwick with SLCE Architects as the architect of record, the ten- and 21-story structures yield a total of 181 residential units with sales and marketing led by Related Sales LLC and Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group. Lantern House is bound by Tenth Avenue the east, West 18th Street to the south, West 19th Street to the north, and Frank Gehry’s IAC Building immediately to the west.
Recent photos reveal that all of the signature sculptural bay windows are now in place on both buildings, with the southeast corner of the taller structure filled in since our last update in October.
Lantern House. Photo by Michael Young
Lantern House. Photo by Michael Young
Lantern House. Photo by Michael Young
Lantern House. Photo by Michael Young
Lantern House. Photo by Michael Young
Lantern House. Photo by Michael Young
Lantern House. Photo by Michael Young
The building offers a number of pleasing contrasts, including the juxtaposition of the angular bronze mullions of the windows with the smooth curving brickwork. The choice of materials makes the structure stand out especially in the warm glow of golden hour lighting, as shown in the below images. Some of the window panels are still coated in protective film, which should be removed imminently.
Lantern House. Photo by Michael Young
Lantern House. Photo by Michael Young
Meanwhile, the ground floor and sidewalk around the southern elevation of the shorter sibling have opened up and its ground-floor windows are now adorned with renderings of the project. More information about the upcoming ground-floor retail space and additional renderings of Lantern House are seen across the rest of the first-floor frontage. One interesting moment in the design is how it elegantly curves around the supporting columns that hold up the High Line on the northern side of the property.
Lantern House. Photo by Michael Young
Lantern House. Photo by Michael Young
Homes in Lantern House are designed by March & White and come in one- to four-bedroom layouts with an average of ten-foot, nine-inch high ceilings. A number of residential units have outdoor landscaped terraces that offer expansive views of the High Line, Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and the rest of the Midtown skyline. Prices for the homes start at $1.7 million, with amenities including a doorman, concierge service, a common courtyard and outdoor garden, a meeting room, a fitness center with spa and swimming pool, an entertainment room, residential lounges, a children’s playroom, and private parking for 175 vehicles.
Lantern House should be fully completed before spring.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Apparently Related Companies had wine barrels on their mind. This design is so strange that it is almost interesting.
The color of the glass does not do this grenade any favors.
“Barrel WareHouse” The building reminds one of stacked pallets of wine, beer or whisky barrels. It seems like the biggest issue with this building will be leaks in the glazing over the next 20 years. The immediate area around it is dark and foreboding with sunlight in short supply. Unfortunately it does not add to the neighborhood as it is not pedestrian friendly.
Are the designers of the buildings Draftsman or Architects of distinction. If the latter, then they have consulted with engineers of the same level and come up with material that will stand the test of time… Having learned a Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater lesson.,. As for the surrounding neighborhood, think Dumbo, in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s..
Overall I like this property, but looking at it now I think it would have looked better (and more settled) had the podium been more traditional without the barrel windows.
Obviously the retail space should include a Tap Room bar, to reflect the building’s design!
??
Yep…
Does anyone know what the currently blocked off open space between 18th street, 10th avenue and the high line is?
It looks like it could be the foundation for another building, or for planting beds and a plaza for the adjacent asymmetrical building.
Looks old and decrepit before it’s even finished.
The closer you get to these windows, the more they look like ‘hand grenades’
This entire area (for some reason) makes the pedestrian move quickly away. There is no real sidewalk appeal. This area has one wanting to jump in a limo and exit ASAP. Very different than the UWS or UES context.
And, yes, water leaks will be a major issue moving forward.
Why are all of the buildings along the high-line the worst buildings of our best architects(Gehry, Bjarke, Heatherwick, Hadid…)?
Oh boy now we have to live with another ‘turd’ on the landscape of NYC!
great for chelsea awesome building bring back 1018 club
I still don’t like the Latern House that much. But, now that it’s nearly completed, I’m sort of starting to like the two, just a little.
Why not
I get what you shown for its progress, the development not die and there are loaded on beautiful windows: Thank you.
My only critique of the building is that the mechanicals are exposed on the roof. I would’ve expected it to be concealed.
More gimmicky luxury housing in Manhattan that the rich will invest in, but won’t live in, while longtime residents and businesses get chased away. And views from the High Line are further blocked. That effing High Line was beautiful at first, but it’s ultimately had a positive effect only for developers and construction workers. Everyone else is just left with a grotesque vision of shiny and hollow dystopia. The property won’t generate sorely needed NYC tax revenue because the bulk of investors will claim to live elsewhere. No thanks, Lantern House.
Reminds me of those big, clunky, tacky, neon, plastic gems my sister and cousins used to buy to make their own necklaces, hair pieces and bracelets.
It’s a weird building, but it’s good to have some weird buildings.
I would hate to be the window washers
Different but in a good way
Please send me an application for a two-bedroom affordable apartment by email
Thanks