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Over the course of its history, the New York neighborhood of Chelsea has definitely had its fair share of ups and downs, but since the late 1990s, the rate of construction of new apartment complexes in Chelsea has taken off dramatically. as part of a revitalization unlike any other in its history. Clement Clarke Moore, a clergyman and author of ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas,” better known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, is considered the founding father of Chelsea. Realizing that downtown Manhattan was poised to launch itself uptown, Moore began to sell off his land in Chelsea NYC Apts. The guidelines he set for contrstructing houses and apartments in Chelsea lots are still in force in much of the district. Perhaps it is fitting that one of the reasons for Chelsea’s current upswing is once again the piers. The Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex recently opened on the newly renovated waterfront that spans the area between 17th and 23rd Streets. Located within the complex are basketball courts, a golf driving range, and a microbrewery. Because of its variety of amenities, the spot has become popular with residents of many nearby Chelsea apartments. Another reason for the Chelsea revitalization can be attributed to the interest of the gay community. Seeking a break from the increasingly crowded areas of the West Village, this community has been an active voice in Chelsea’s beautification. The country’s largest gay and lesbian bookstore, A Different Light, is located on 19th Street near Sixth Avenue. The most famous landmark in all of Chelsea Real Estate, however, has to be the Chelsea Hotel. This unassuming redbrick building has been a haven to artists almost since it opened in 1884. Its long list of distinguished guests includes Mark Twain, Arthur Miller, Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd. For those looking for long-term apartments in Chelsea, the neighborhood offers rental apartments, co-ops and condos for those who can afford relatively expensive Chelsea prices. More about ChelseaA mecca for gourmet food lovers is the Chelsea Condo Sales Market, at 75 9th Ave., stretching between 15th and 16th Streets. The building originally was the old Nabisco plant, where in 1898, the Oreo Cookie was born. Don’t miss Amy’s Bread, an outstanding artisan bakery, with floor to ceiling windows, where you can watch the bakers perform their daily operations, from forming the breads to loading the ovens with conveyor belts full of baguettes. Another highlight of this district is the Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex, a 30-acre, $120 million, privately financed waterfront recreation village located between 17th and 23rd Streets along the Hudson River. The complex includes Piers 59, 60, 61 and 62, and features a golf club, a health club, a roller rink and extreme sports park, an ice rink, a bowling alley, the Chelsea Brewing Company, several events and education centers, and more. You can watch golfers perfecting their swings from the Hudson River. The history of these piers is fascinating. The piers were officially opened in 1910 but three years earlier, before the 8-year long construction was even complete, the first of the new luxury liners, the Lusitania and Mauretania, were docked there. The architectural firm of Warren and Wetmore, which was designing Grand Central Terminal at the same time, transformed the existing hodge-podge of run-down waterfront structures into a premier port. But 50 years later, the advent of the jet plane and large container ships requiring more involved docking facilities rendered the docks obsolete, and they fell into neglect and disrepair. By the 1970’s, the piers were slated for demolition to make way for a highway, but the plan failed, and the property was sold to the developers of the Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex. Just like in the meat packing district, many trendy boutiques, cafes, grocery stores, and art galleries have now taken residence in Chelsea. Visit Chelsea, the Meat Packing District and most of Manhattan on a Minibus Tour to see and learn more about these neighborhoods. Also in this neighborhood is the world-famous Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks, Rangers hockey, Barnum and Bailey Circus, championship boxing events, and superstar music concerts. In the photo to the right—taken while on a helicopter tour—the Chelsea Piers are at the lower left, Chelsea Market is to the right and Madison Square Garden is the round building near the upper center of the picture just in front of the tall dark building (55 story 1 Penn Plaza). Purchase Madison Square Garden-Theatre Tickets online. Chelsea Park is near the center of the picture and you can see the Empire State Building to the upper right. A West Chelsea Zoning Proposal to create the Special West Chelsea District to promote development, facilitate the reuse of the High Line elevated rail line and enhance the neighborhood’s art gallery district was approved in June of 2005. The High Line links the Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea and Meatpacking Districts. |