Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianTH
Here is a side-by-side of the old version and the newer version designed to address community concerns:
To my eye the newer version isn't a success--it doesn't really look any more harmonious than the older version, and so is just less interesting overall.
Anyway, if I recall correctly, they were still getting criticized by the community, although I don't know how that breaks down by the different parts of the proposal. |
I prefer the older design as well. But the Community Board that oversees Chelsea is well-known to dislike any new, tall construction adjacent to the Chelsea Historic District that has too much glass. That was the primary complaint about the Tenth Avenue building. The later version, built with complimentary red brick to match the originals buildings, was deemed more contextual but, to my eye, less interesting.
Not that these visceral reactions of the Community Boards is always bad. Between Chelsea Market and my apartment is Seminary Block, a beautiful grouping of 18th and 19th century buildings housing the General Theological Seminary, the oldest Episcopal seminary in the country. The seminary proposed demolishing a dreadful 1960s addition to campus, replacing it with an attractive co-op apartment building, significantly higher and made mostly of glass and, all in all, not a bad design. The community board killed it. But, in their defense, in at least that one instance, their rejection absolutely resulted in an improved design. The architect's second attempt, which was built a few years ago, is quite beautiful. And quite contemporary despite being mostly red brick. In that case, the board's arbitrary dislike to glass was beneficial. Win some lose some, I suppose.
It should also be pointed out that Chelsea Market, like the High Line, receives much more blame for the changes taking place in Chelsea than they deserve. When I bought my first apartment in 1995, Chelsea was a transitional, quiet, mixed neighborhood. No longer unsafe but still a bit seedy. And on Ninth Avenue, where I live, it was actually quiet, at least by Manhattan standards. Now the streets are packed and noisy into the wee hours of the morning (when the clubs let out) and many old time retailers and residents are being replaced. In the mind of many long time locals, it is quite common to place all the blame, direct all the aggregate frustration, at Chelsea Market and the High Line. The former trumpeted the neighborhood's change, the latter cemented it. I hear that all the time. I don't agree with that line of thinking---it's a bit too black-and-white---but I get where the sentiment comes from. And hence Chelsea Markets would be criticized for giving food away free. And as for the High Line, it has become something of a badge of honor to not use it. It is left for the tourists. West Chelsea residents use the Hudson River Park.
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