Built between 1883 and 1885 and opened for initial occupation in 1884, the twelve-story red-brick building that is now the Hotel Chelsea was one of the city’s first private apartment cooperatives. It was designed by Philip Hubert of the firm Hubert, Pirsson & Company, in a style that has been described variously as Queen Anne Revival and Victorian Gothic.
Among its distinctive features are the delicate, flower-ornamented iron balconies on its façade and its grand staircase, which extends upward twelve floors. At the time of its construction, the building was the tallest in New York.
BD Engineering provided design services for the renovation and upgrade of the HVAC, electrical, sprinkler, and plumbing systems. The renovations included extensive modifications to the first-floor kitchen and retail spaces, as well as the replacement of all the building’s central plant utilities. The project was completed in 2016.
