Chelsea Neighborhood Profile

Chelsea has it all – nightlife, art, shopping, and recreation at the Piers. And, of course, a happening gay scene. No wonder those enormous luxury rental buildings have sprung up all over the neighborhood. With them have come more families and an Olive Garden (New Yorkers say they’re too cool for the Olive Garden, but that place is packed every night).

Chelsea stretches from 15th Street to 34th Street (give or take) between the Hudson River and Sixth Ave.

Subway: A,C, and E to 14th, 23rd or 34th; F to 23rd; 1,2,3,9 to 14th or 34th, 1 or 9 only to 18th or 23rd; L to 14th, PATH train to 14th, 23rd, and 34th.
Bus: The M23 goes cross-town on 23rd and directly to the Chelsea Piers. The M11 goes uptown (slowly) on Tenth Avenue and downtown on Ninth Avenue. The M10 goes uptown on Eighth Avenue and downtown on Seventh Avenue.

Chelsea offers a mix of townhouses, pre-war co-ops, and luxury doorman buildings. You’ll find cheaper deals north of 23rd St. and into the 30’s.
To Rent: Studio/1-Bedroom, $1,300-$2,600+. 2-Bedroom, $3,000-$5,000+. Larger than 2-Bedroom, $6,000-$15,000+
To Buy: Studio/1-Bedroom, $160K-$850K. 2-Bedroom, $700K-$1.4M+. Larger than 2-Bedroom, $1.5M-$3.5M+.

P.S. 11, 320 West 21st St.: Strong gifted and music programs, indoor swimming pool.
Bayard Rustin High School for the Humanities, 361 W. 18th St.: Public college-preparatory high school with special programs in medical math and creative writing.
Fashion Institute of Technology, 227 W. 27th St.: Higher education in fashion and design.
Apex Technical School, 635 Sixth Ave.: Hands-on training for technical careers.

24-Hour ATMs:
Chase Manhattan, 248 Eighth Ave. near 22nd St.
Commerce Bank, 200 West 26th at Seventh Ave.
Citibank, 717 Sixth Ave. at 23rd Street.

Post Office: Old Chelsea, 217 W. 18th St., (800) 275-8777

Police Precinct:10th Precinct, 230 W. 20th St., 212-741-8211

24-Hour Pharmacies:
Duane Reade, 180 W. 20th St. near Seventh Ave.

Supermarkets:
Whole Foods Market, 250 Seventh Ave. at 24th St.

Francisco’s is THE place to go for great lobster at reasonable prices (and addictive sangria) – this is a crowded, noisy spot that’s great for groups. For a more trendy scene, stop by Elmo for chic comfort food and cocktails. On a nice day, sit outside at the Chelsea Brewing Company and enjoy home-brewed beers and a view of the Hudson.

The Chelsea club scene is hot. Current favorites include Marquee, Bungalow 8 (where you’re bound to run into an Olsen twin if you hang out long enough), and Serena at the Chelsea Hotel. If you tire of the club scene, check out comedy shows at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade.

Parks and Recreation: The Chelsea Piers has something for everyone – golf, bowling, skating, batting cages, and rock climbing. Kids’ programs include soccer, gymnastics, baseball, and more. You’ll also find a fitness center and a deluxe spa. Take your bike or roller-blades down to the Hudson River Esplanade for more green grass and river views.

Chelsea’s origins date back to 1750 and the neighborhood has seen a lot of change since its days as a family farm. Chelsea was the city’s first theater district, a fashionable shopping district, and a thriving vice district in the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Explore Chelsea’s past by visiting landmarks such as the Chelsea Historic District (20th to 22nd St. between 8th and 10th Ave.), where you’ll see architecture from the 1800’s. Don’t miss the Chelsea Hotel, bohemian landmark and former home of writers and artists such as William S. Burroughs and Bob Dylan – though now probably better known as the place where Sid killed Nancy.

Art Scene:
Chelsea is the art capital of New York with more than 200 galleries. They dot the West Chelsea streets between 20th and 28th. Some of the most famous include the Gagosian Gallery on West 24th, the Matthew Marks Gallery on West 22nd, and the Sonnabend on West 22nd. Plan a gallery tour to see more of Chelsea’s art community.

Chelsea By The Numbers:
Zip Code: 10011
Population: 47,197
Median Age: 39
Average Household Income: $111,949