Terminal Warehouse Expansion Progresses at 261 Eleventh Avenue in West Chelsea, Manhattan

Construction is progressing on Terminal Warehouse, where a seven-story commercial addition is being constructed above the historic 132-year-old building at 261 Eleventh Avenue in West Chelsea, Manhattan. Designed by COOKFOX Architects and developed by L&L Holding Company and Columbia Property Trust, the $1.25 billion project was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in January 2020 and will reinvigorate the structure with a mix of Class A office suites, retail space, and multiple dining options. New Line Structures & Development is the general contractor for the property, which spans an entire city block bound by West 28th Street to the north, West 27th Street to the south, Eleventh Avenue to the east, and West Street to the west.

Work has progressed steadily since our last update in August, when restoration work was just getting underway on the original brick façade. Since then, the expansion’s reinforced concrete superstructure has risen over the center of the lower volume, and appears one floor shy of partially topping out. Construction will continue to move westward over the coming months.

Terminal Warehouse. Photo by Michael Young

Terminal Warehouse. Photo by Michael Young

The view from across West Street provides a good street-level perspective of the expansion.

Terminal Warehouse. Photo by Michael Young

Terminal Warehouse. Photo by Michael Young

Terminal Warehouse. Photo by Michael Young

Most of the historic Terminal Warehouse is covered with black netting and metal scaffolding, except for a central section the wide northern elevation next to the construction crane. We can see a glimpse of the old brick façade, which will eventually be restored to its original appearance. The addition above will be finished with bronze-hued steel elements and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Terminal Warehouse. Photo by Michael Young

Terminal Warehouse. Photo by Michael Young

Terminal Warehouse. Photo by Michael Young

Terminal Warehouse. Photo by Michael Young

Terminal Warehouse. Photo by Michael Young

Terminal Warehouse. Photo by Michael Young

The following renderings preview the completed look from West Street, highlighting the multiple landscaped terraces and pocketed balconies on the new upper volume.

Terminal Warehouse. Rendering courtesy of COOKFOX Architects.

Terminal Warehouse. Rendering courtesy of COOKFOX Architects.

Additional renderings below depict the Terminal Warehouse from Eleventh Avenue, revealing the stepped interior courtyard with its landscaped terraces, as well as some of the new interior space. The project includes the restoration of nearly 1.4 million square feet of wooden floors and other original elements such as the chimneys and arched window shutters. The 670-foot-long central tunnel, formerly used by trains to shuttle goods in and out of the warehouse, will also be refurbished and lined with retail and dining stalls.

Terminal Warehouse. Rendering courtesy of COOKFOX Architects.

The cascading terraces and interior courtyard at Terminal Warehouse. Rendering courtesy of Gensler TMRW

The work cafe and terrace at Terminal Warehouse. Rendering courtesy of Gensler TMRW

Revised rendering of Central Stores courtyard. Rendering courtesy of COOKFOX Architects.

The Terminal Warehouse is expected to wrap up work this fall, as noted on the construction board.

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