Manhattan, NY According to L&L Holding Co. and Normandy Real Estate Partners, its revitalization plan for the historic Terminal Warehouse in West Chelsea has been approved by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).
L&L and Normandy, in collaboration with architectural firm COOKFOX, have created a redevelopment plan emphasizing restoration, authenticity, massive open floorplates and natural sunlight. Under the proposal approved by the LPC on January 21st, the 1.2 million s/f Terminal Warehouse will be transformed from a purpose-built storage facility into a workplace that celebrates the property’s place in area history.
A major focal point of the preservation and redevelopment plan will be the ancient timber that was incorporated throughout Terminal Warehouse during its original construction. Through dendrochronological research, the team determined that the oldest timber used to create the columns, girders, joists and floor deck were taken from trees that started growing in 1512, making them 508 years old today. L&L and Normandy will save, reclaim and showcase as much of the interior’s heavy timber as possible while still adhering to modern building codes.
“Terminal Warehouse is a remarkable building that simultaneously echoes New York City’s rich history while also speaking to West Chelsea’s modern vibrancy and unlimited potential,” said L&L Holding chairman and CEO David Levinson. “We are grateful to Community Board 4 and the Landmarks Preservation Commission for engaging with us on an adaptive reuse plan that further builds upon the more than a century long evolution of Terminal Warehouse while ensuring its authentic features are restored and preserved for future generations.”
“The Terminal Warehouse project has been a labor of love from the start,” said Rick Cook, founding partner of COOKFOX Architects. “Thank you to the Commission for their diligence in helping us to preserve this critical and storied piece of Manhattan’s West Side waterfront infrastructure and create a new, high-performance workplace for the future.”
Built in 1891, Terminal Warehouse occupies an entire block from 11th to 12th Ave. and 27th to 28th St. As the first major New York facility with direct access to the river, streets and rail lines, the building initially served as a vital transfer point for goods heading into and out of the city. The property’s most distinctive characteristic is the tunnel with a twin set of rail tracks, which runs through the center of the facility and originally offered a direct connection from the Hudson River’s docks to the freight line operating at street level along 11th Ave.
The 670 ft. long train tunnel that traverses the length of the building will be restored, uncovering some of the property’s history such as its original wood, brick and exposed rails, and activated with shops, restaurants and other 21st century amenities. L&L and Normandy also plan to restore the recessed arched entrances located on 11th and 12th Aves.
At the center of the building, L&L and Normandy will create a outdoor courtyard and multiple landscaped terraces, which will bring daylight into the building’s full city block floorplates. As part of the plan approved by the LPC, the floor area that will be removed to make room for the new courtyard and double-height interior spaces will be relocated to the western portion of the building.
In a full building transformation, L&L and Normandy also will convert Terminal Warehouse’s 500,000 s/f of self-storage space and other vacant area into modern office space.
In all, the project will involve the preservation, restoration and/or replacement of 3.2 acres of brick masonry; 756 windows; 338 pairs of iron shutters; metal signage, chimney, flagpole and other historic details.
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