Historic Chelsea Terminal to become biz hub
BY GABE HERMAN
The Terminal Warehouse building
in West Chelsea, which dates
back to the 19th century, is set to
undergo renovations, along with added
offi ces and retail space.
The building takes up an entire
block, from 11th to 12th Avenues between
West 27th and 28th Streets.
It was built in 1891 by the Terminal
Warehouse Company.
The structure was a hub for shipping
goods to and from the city, as it had
access to the river, streets and a freight
line operating along 11th Avenue.
Developers L & L Holding and Normandy
Real Estate Partners bought
the 1.2 million square foot building
for $880 million in 2018. They plan to
work with architectural fi rm COOKFOX
to transform 500,000 square feet
of storage space into modern offi ces.
“Through a revitalization plan that
emphasizes restoration, authenticity,
massive open fl oorplates and natural
sunlight,” the developers said in a
statement, “the Terminal Warehouse
will be artfully transformed from a
purpose-built storage facility into a
thriving state-of-the-art workplace
that also celebrates its place in New
York’s remarkable history.”
The warehouse was built with twin
tracks running through the facility’s
center. Its use for shipping goods started
to decline when the nearby High
Line opened in the 1930s.
The space was home to the Tunnel
nightclub from 1986 to 2001. And
Courtesy COOKFOX
A rendering of the renovated Terminal Warehouse at 11th Ave.
during the 1980s, it was the biggest
mini-storage facility in the country.
Nowadays, the building continues
to be largely a storage facility,
while also having commercial and
offi ce space.
The developers plan to restore the
large arched entrances at 11th and
12th Avenues, which were used for
trains to pass through, by creating big,
recessed entries.
The train tunnel that runs through
the building will also be refurbished
with original wood, brick and exposed
rail tracks. The tunnel is 200 feet wide
and 670 feet long, and runs through
the length of the building.
Along with the tunnel’s restoration,
shops and restaurants will also be
added to its area.
Restoration will include using much
of the interior’s original wood, which
is hundreds of years old. There are also
plans for an extension of the rooftop
near 12th Avenue, which will require
redeveloping sections of the building’s
interior. The rooftop addition will include
a new outdoor courtyard with
landscaped terraces.
Because the structure is in the West
Village Historic District, the plans will
need approval from the Landmarks
Preservation Commission, which is
currently scheduled to consider the
proposal in late October.
Community Board 4’s Land Use
Committee approved the plan on Sept.
16; the entire board is slated to vote on
it next month.
Pair sought for three robberies in Chelsea and Midtown
BY ROBERT POZARYCKI
Police released on Monday night
images of two people who assaulted
and robbed three women
in Chelsea and Midtown Manhattan
over the last four weeks.
Law enforcement sources said the
robbery pattern began at 3:20 a.m. on
Aug. 24 in front of the Manor Community
Church on West 26th Street near
9th Avenue in Chelsea.
According to police, a 24-year-old
woman was walking through the area
when the unidentifi ed male and female
suspects approached her. The female
suspect punched the woman in the face,
and both individuals then removed her
purse and fl ed on foot eastbound on
26th Street.
Cops said the bag contained a cellphone,
cash and credit cards. The robbery
victim suffered pain and bruising,
but refused medical attention at the
scene.
The next morning, at 12:25 a.m. on
Aug. 25, the female bandit struck again
in Chelsea, attacking a 30-year-old
woman walking in front of an apartment
building on West 21st Street near
8th Avenue.
A u -
thorities
said the
suspect
punched
t h e
woma n
in the
f a c e ,
then rem
o v e d
h e r
p u r s e ,
w h i c h
c o n -
tained a
cellphone,
cash and
c r e d i t
cards. The
thief then took off on foot in an unknown
Photos courtesy of NYPD
The two suspects involved in a Manhattan robbery
pattern.
direction.
According to police, the victim refused
medical treatment for pain and
bruising that she suffered in the assault.
Finally,
the
f ema l e
suspect
and her
m a l e
c ohor t
assaulted
and
robbed
a 48-
year-old
woman
during a
dispute
on a
Bronxbound
4
train at
the Grand
C ent r a l -
42nd Street station at 3:07 p.m. on
Sept. 16.
Law enforcement sources said the
woman got into a verbal argument with
the individuals while riding the train.
The female suspect then punched the
woman in the face, and the crooks then
removed her purse. Cops said they departed
the train once the doors opened
at the station.
The victim suffered pain and bruising,
and later learned from her bank
that her stolen credit card had been
charged $40.
The NYPD also released video footage
of the two suspects at the turnstiles
of the Grand Central-42nd Street station
following the Sept. 16 robbery.
Anyone with information regarding
their whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers
at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial
888-57-PISTA), visit the Crime Stoppers
website, nypdcrimestoppers.com,
or send a direct message on Twitter @
NYPDTips. All calls and messages are
kept confi dential.
Schneps Media CNW SEPT. 26-OCT.3, 2019 3
/nypdcrimestoppers.com