Architectural Masterpiece!! This magnificent full floor Loft in a Prewar Condominium adjacent to The High Line in the West Chelsea's Arts district is arguably one of the most stunning homes downtown. Designed by the award-winning firm Gabellini Sheppard and featured in multiple publications including Interior Design Magazine for its intelligent and unique design, superb craftmanship and use of the highest caliber of materials/finishes. Starting with a blank palette, the owner's vision was to showcase their extensive art collection and include 3 bedrooms while at the same time maintaining the open feel of an industrial full floor loft with its generous 12 ft ceilings. Just under 4,000 SF, this property was meticulously transformed into an exceptional home, a voluminous and sumptuous environment for living, entertaining, and the display of contemporary art. The rarest of homes that at first glance takes your breath away by its visually captivating elegance.
The elevator opens directly into the sprawling great room through a satin-finish stainless-steel wall that frames the entryway. The south end of the loft includes an open kitchen, a den/media room with built-in upholstered couches and a large dining area centered to be the focus of this end of the loft. Your attention is immediately drawn to the mesmerizing, one-of-a-kind "Swarovski" crystal-encrusted Blossom Chandelier designed by Tord Boontje, that is suspended above the 14' long Bubinga wood dining table crafted by Miya Shoji. Accompanying are 14 George Nakashima designed walnut with woven grass dining chairs. Note the Chandelier, dining table and chairs are all included in the sale as they were custom made specifically for this space. An exquisite Boffi designed Chef's kitchen features a black honed granite island and countertops, black satin-lacquer and stainless-steel lever cabinets, two Miele dishwashers, two Gaggenau ovens and a 5-burner stove top, Subzero Refrigerator, and a black glass backsplash. Warm tones, sublime finishes, and generous scale create a wonderful dining experience whether intimate for 2 or for a large extravagant dinner.
Conceived as the home's core center is the expansive living room/media room that includes a gas fireplace with a bluestone shelf and a Bang & Olufsen Home theater with a recessed ceiling projection screen. Illuminated by north and south exposures of 16 oversized sound-proof double pane windows as well as by ambient and theatrical interior light/focused gallery lighting showcasing both the east and west walls with generous proportions to house an extensive art collection. The furnishings include a custom made 18 by 32 feet handwoven wool rug from Nepal, sofas and a circular coffee table from B&B Italia and the Maxalto Collection and black leather-covered lounge chairs by Antonio Citterio and Jeffrey Bernett. Note, all these pieces are included in the sale.
At the north end of the loft, a wide run of beautiful walnut steps rises to meet a wall of translucent glass sliding panels that separate the primary bedroom suite from the public space. The platform created by the steps is not only a design element but functionally conceals plumbing, electrical, and ductwork along with alternating layers of plywood and insulation to minimize sound and vibration. The texturally warm primary bedroom suite has a gas fireplace with a honed bluestone shelf and superb furnishings including a B & B Italia bed frame, sofa, and a Bang & Olufsen TV. Note, all furnishings in the primary suite are included in the sale. The spacious spa-like primary bathroom's vanity and angular tub are finished in Botticino marble while the shower is defined by full height glass panels and flush teak flooring providing a very pleasurable bathing experience. The elevated walnut platform extends throughout the perimeter of the loft surrounding the living room housing 2 guest bedrooms in addition to the primary bedroom, 2.5 bathrooms, tons of customized closets, hallways and service areas creating a clear distinction between the public and private spaces. The 2nd bedroom faces north while the 3rd bedroom faces west also utilizing walls of translucent sliding glass panels to separate from the additional bathrooms and hallways. All bathrooms are finished in Bottocino marble and BOFFI hardware where whole blocks of Italian marble yielded custom sink vanities.
Additional features of this outstanding home include polished concrete flooring and skim-coated plaster walls throughout the great room, glorious light and views of the High Line from the wall of south facing windows, a Lutron homeworks system controls the extensive lighting configurations, a two zoned central AC with unique invisible ductwork framework for intake and outtake air flow, a Miele WD, a wine refrigerator, and a Creston smart home system controls both the solar and black out shades as well as a very sophisticated Bang and Olufsen home theater and surround sound music to immerse yourself in all of which is included in the sale.
Built in 1914, 521 W 23rd (aka "The Artists Condominium") is a boutique Chelsea loft Condominium with a part-time doorman. Perfectly located adjacent to the High Line in the heart of the dynamic and vibrant West Chelsea Arts district with many Restaurants, Art Galleries, Chelsea Piers, and so much more right outside your door. A one-of-a-kind, spectacular home in a fantastic downtown neighborhood!