Posted by Leonard Steinberg on January 13, 2011.

‘Avenues: The World School’ a brand new private school is coming to Chelsea, New York, accomodating 1,600 pre-K through 12th grade students, reliable sources have confirmed…

The school will be located in an existing warehouse building that used to house the sets for ABC-TV soaps at 259 Tenth Avenue at 25th Street.

The developer wants to build a rooftop addition to house a gym and basketball court:  That, along with the bulkhead, would bring the building’s height up to 159 feet, which is 34 feet taller than zoning allows. A waiver is required, and since the building is in the West Chelsea Historic District, the Landmarks Preservation Commission had the deciding vote, but we have heard it is all but certain to pass:  commissioners were impressed with the restoration plan, drawn up by Perkins Eastman.

This is a MAJOR addition to the West Chelsea neighborhood: combined with the High Line Park, the substantial new development in the area as well as the Hudson Yards to the north and the # 7 train stop coming to 34th Street at 11th avenue, this all adds up to a NEIGHBORHOOD REVOLUTION.