Posted by Leonard Steinberg on July 28th, 2013

Here are my TOP 10 reasons why West Chelsea has only seen the BEGINNINGS of an upside that will only be fully realized in roughly 7-10 years:

1)  A concentration of A-grade architecture that currently includes Jean Nouvel, Annabelle Selldorf, Frank Gehry, Neil Denari, Enrique Norten and Cary Tamarkin. Coming now to the area are buildings by Norman Foster (150 Eleventh Avenue), Thomas Juul Hansen (153 Tenth Avenue), Steven Harris (560 West 24th Street), Zaha Hadid (520 West 28th Street), Annabelle Selldorf (500 West 22nd Street), Cary Tamrkin (508 West 24th Street),  CookFox (510 West 22nd Street) and several more.

2) Avenue’s World School is finding its footing, but already its reputation is super-strong and its impact on the neighborhood is extraordinary.

3) The Highline Park extension: slated for completion in 2014, the $ 90m work has already begun to extend this instantly-world-famous elevated park from 30th Street all the way to 34th Street and the West Side Highway. Once completed, you will be able to walk from the Meatpacking District all the way to the Javits Center without a single traffic light.

4) The # 7 Subway extension: When the subway stop opens at 34th Street and 11th Avenue, it will connect West Chelsea to midtown Manhattan (Times Square), the most important infrastructure improvement of all. All of West Chelsea will be able to connect to this subway stop via the Highline Park.

5)  The Whitney Museum: this iconic art institution signals the first major uptown landmark move downtown, a historic moment for Manhattan, especially West Chelsea. It will be connected via the Highline to over 300 of the world’s leading contemporary art galleries.

6)  Hudson Yards: The construction of this mini-city just north of West Chelsea, signals the creation of an entirely new element to the Manhattan mix. The collection of offices, hotels , rental buildings and condominiums will bring a community of people and businesses at a momentum never seen before in New York history. Many of these people will seek to live in West Chelsea, a few minutes walk from their places of work.

7)  Sothebys Auction House: rumors are swelling that Sotheby’s, the world-renowned auction house may be moving to the Hudson Yards, bracketing West Chelsea.

8)  The Hudson Yards Culture shed: this may be an incredible venue for a host of events, including one of the most famous ones: Fashion Week. Yes, the shows could move here if Diane Von Furstenberg gets her way (and she usually does). What a magnificent permanent setting for the fashion industry!

9)  Retail, restaurants and more: Chatter is growing about a number of exciting new retailers and restaurants planning outlets in the West Chelsea area. Pier 57, the Young Woo-developed 480,000sf pier at 15th Street will be home to restaurants, fashion and art. The Avalon Bay building (a rather bland rental building currently under construction at 28th Street and 11th Avenue) has been the subject of Whole Foods rumors coming to the hood: while this may not pan out, the space is designed to accommodate an equally large-scaled store. Whomever opens up a magnificent food emporium in the area will strike gold.

10)  The Hudson River Park and Chelsea Piers: its really that good. Most importantly the gorgeous 9,5 acre park called Chelsea Cove with its two piers and 3 acre lawn located just north of Chelsea Piers is maturing and its simply superb.