Chelsea (CHE)

 

The Chelsea area was a rural farmland until 1750 when Capt. Thomas Clarke bought a tract there for his retirement. He named his farm Chelsea, after the Chelsea Royal Hospital, an old soldier’s home in England. A century later, his grandson Clement Clarke Moore, reluctantly decided to develop the farmland into a garden suburb. Today Moore is revered as the founding father of Chelsea; he established guidelines for residential buildings that are still enforced between the avenues today.

In the luxury category, Chelsea is only slightly less expensive than the West Village. Prime Chelsea real estate varies between townhouses with 10-foot yards and brownstones located in the Historic District, which encompasses parts of West 20th, 21st and 22nd Streets (between 8th and 10th avenues). Loft buildings are the primary residences between the Avenue of Americas and Seventh Avenue, there are also lots of 19th century brownstones between Seventh and 10th Avenues. During recent years, prices for rent and sales have been rising. Even though it is hard to find a vacant townhouse, Chelsea holds a top place in NYC luxury apartments.

Chelsea Piers is a sports and entertainment complex: it offers 2 outdoor skating rinks for roller blading and roller-skating, 2 indoor ice-skating rinks and a 200-yard driving range for golfers. Clement Clarke Moore Park is available for children; in addition there are several day care centers in this area and the small Muhlenberg Library, which has a well-stocked children’s section.

A fashionable place to live in, this area is diverse in culture, ethnicity and race, which creates a small-town atmosphere appreciated by its dwellers. The mix adds specific character to Chelsea, different from the homogeneity of Upper East Side. Home to numerous cutting-edge art galleries and theatres, the area buzzes during the seasonal art openings. The landmark of the neighborhood is the Chelsea Hotel, which has long been a favorite place of artists and musicians.

Chelsea is an advantageous housing place for families with children. It has 2 Roman Catholic private elementary schools, Guardian Angel and St. Columbia. Chelsea also offers nursery schools and public schools including P.S. 11, P.S. 33, I.S. 70, Bayard High School for Humanities and Fashion Industries High School.