As with most buildings named after a person, The Clement Clarke is invariably going to be compared to its namesake. And in this case, it’s not too hard to imagine the building in the times of Clement Clarke, a Columbia professor and creator of the now-famous Christmas poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The building’s facade looks like something out of the 1800s. In fact, it was made in 1911 as a factory for manufacturing. The crème brick with narrow arched windows looks like a building right out of A Christmas Carol. But that’s where the similarities end. The inside has been totally renovated.

The Clement Clarke is a twelve story development with fifty-one units, located at 140 West 22nd street, in the center of Chelsea, which by the way was the name Clarke’s ancestors gave to their plantation home back in the early 1800’s (and is where Chelsea got its name). It was converted from a factory to an office building in the 1970s, and is now facing a full conversion to a condo development.

Residents have no shortage of things to boast about to their friends. As with most other luxury developments, the units here have hardwood floors made of wide-planked American walnut, a rich and dark wood that goes well with most furniture. The kitchen has a large floating island with white glass countertops. High-value appliances are scattered throughout, including a Subzero refrigerator and an Insinkerator garbage disposal. Kitchens also come equipped with a microwave, a cook-top and built-in convection oven, and a dishwasher. Moving to the Master bath, designers took everything into consideration. A fumed-oak vanity cabinet holds all the bathroom essentials, while the 60″ by 21″ soaking tub gives residents a true place to relax. It’s also got a double sink and a glass shower stall large enough for two people.

Brand name appliances and expensive building materials don’t make these units a home. The Bosch washer and dryer helps, but that doesn’t do it either. A sense of community, a home that exudes tranquility, family bonding…these are the things that truly create a home. The Clement Clarke offers a peaceful setting with high, 11-foot ceilings, oversized windows and plenty of amenities to sooth the soul. The community of Chelsea offers the sense of place that is so important. This includes proximity to libraries and an Equinox fitness club. Ideally, the people who live here provide family bonding.

As of early 2008, there are eight units remaining, including studios, one and two-bedroom apartments. Both the size and the floor plans of these units vary. In general, prices range from $685,000-$2,000,000. Studios start at 540 square feet; one bedrooms have 850 square feet, many with an extra bath and another room that can be used as a study or an office. Larger units go as high as $4.17 million for an apartment 2,225 square feet in size.

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The apartment buyer who expects a yard-long list of amenities in every condo development will pass HL23 over with hardly a second look. It is true that the development, located at 517 West 23rd Street and designed by architect Neil Denari, doesn’t have a swimming pool or a community gym. But why would it need to have all that when it is literally steps from one of the most unique parks in the world? Residents can watch construction of the High Line Park right outside their windows. The thin strip of greenery will follow the abandoned rail line elevated above the West Chelsea landscape. This park will forever link High Line with the only other such park in the world in Paris, France.

HL 23 is really an architectural miracle for the area. With hardly forty feet width to work with, the building’s stainless steel and glass facade had to fit in the limited space while appearing spacious to the residents. In addition, because of the building’s proximity to the High Line tracks, one side of the building is cantilevered over the railway, appearing to hang in the sky. One look at the building and visitors can see that the builders met with success.

There are eleven full-floor units spread among the fifteen-story building, including two duplexes. The two-story duplexes have seventeen-foot, double-height ceilings in the living room along with private outdoor gardens. The penthouse duplex, located on the two upper-stories of the building, has 3,700 square feet of living space. The remaining units are smaller, but still spacious for the area. They boast custom interior decor by Thomas Juul-Hansen, including Corian countertops in the kitchen and rift-cut oak flooring throughout. Even the master bath reflects a unique flair with its honed stone floors and wall-mounted toilet.

While it is true that HL 23 doesn’t have some of the more common development amenities, the designers made up for what they couldn’t offer by offering other building-wide perks. One is the absolutely huge windows provided throughout. These monsters represent some of the largest ever used in residential construction, with panes measuring eleven feet by six feet. Imagine two or three placed in a row and that is what the typical living/dining room looks like. And they don’t stop there. The bedroom and the master bath both have the same floor-to-ceiling window, which is quite uncommon in modern homes. Bottom-up privacy shades guarantee privacy when it’s needed. Convenience amenities like the Nu-heat flooring system in the bathroom and the Aprilaire temperature sensor for further temperature regulation give the homes an extra boost.

The one and two-bedroom units at HL 23 are going on sale in Spring 2008. Homes start at 1,900 square feet and far surpass 3,000 square feet. Prices will range from $2.65-$10.5 million. The development is trying to achieve a LEED-certified gold rating for using recycled building materials and reflective roofing. Completion is expected in Summer 2009.

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The ten-floor building at 245 Tenth Avenue is highly distinguishable. With a facade of glass and stainless steel designed by the architectural firm Della Valle Bernheimer, it juts out irregularly, reflecting the ever-changing Manhattan sunshine. And while the outside of 245 Tenth attracts the eyes, the interior gives them a break. In fact, many would claim that the interior of the building and its units are rather plain. But this work of art, located in the center of the artistic community of West Chelsea, is simply constructed to allow the residents to decorate how they see fit, to encourage the artistic vision that made the area so appealing to begin with.

Residents of the nineteen units here have access to their apartments through keyed elevator entries. Upon entering the home, two things strike the eye. One, as previously mentioned, is the minimal design. Blended storage space in the kitchen, a box-like soaking tub in the bathroom, and frameless doors throughout make the apartment frighteningly sterile. But there is a glorious contrast of materials used. That’s the second thing visitors notice. Concrete ceilings give the home an unfinished look; the beautiful, dark hardwood floor spread throughout contrasts this rugged feel. Recessed lighting adds a unique glow to the atmosphere.

What really makes the homes here cozy isn’t the stuff they’re made from, but what the developers added to give it the comfort factor. The bathrooms have radiant floor heating, so there’s no more shivers after the morning shower, even in the dead of winter. The two penthouses make a cold house even more unlikely, as each has a wood-burning fireplace. And for a small fee, residents can sign up for concierge service through Abigail Michaels. What better way to stay cozy than to know that everything you could ever want will be taken care of? Hard-to-get reservations, valet parking, pet sitting, cleaning service…the services go on and on.

If you don’t want to pay for a concierge service, that’s okay. There are still some things free in life, and 245 10th Avenue has plenty of them. Each unit comes with a free washer and dryer. Private basement storage is offered free to each resident. Finally, the development offers a 2nd floor terrace and lounge to serve as a community hangout.

Pricing at 245 Tenth Avenue is expensive or reasonable, depending on the way you look at it. Yes, at $1.75 million for a one-bedroom unit, the price is quite steep. But if you look at the size of that one-bedroom unit, which happens to be around 1500 square feet with two bathrooms, it suddenly becomes quite acceptable. The development also has two-bedroom apartments available, and many of these units have an additional room that can be turned into an office. These go for $2.97-$3.75 million, with over 2,500 square feet of living space. The penthouse, the most lavish of the building’s units, is on sale for $5.99 million. It demands this price with its 10 foot 6 inch ceiling, its rooftop terrace and wet bar.

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The nine-story Loft 25 building looms over this Chelsea neighborhood, but the inside is nothing quite as intimidating. In fact, the designers went out of their way to make the units appear spacious and bright, with light-colored ash hardwood floors and windows that in some units span from the floor to the ceiling. Where in the building you choose to live will determine how big, bright and modern your home will be. The older units are true lofts, some sixty of them throughout the nine stories, with a couple penthouses and garden duplexes sprinkled in to provide variety. A newer addition to the building, which stresses a glass façade rather than the older brick area, contains twelve smaller, one bedroom units with lower ceilings, but boasting full-floor windows and a more modern appearance. Loft homes have 12-foot ceilings, while the garden duplexes have private back yards and even higher fourteen-foot ceilings.

Living in the Loft 25 community offers first time buyers a chance to see what a true neighborhood is, with a variety of group meeting places scattered throughout the development. A reflecting pool, lounge and landscaped roof deck offer leisurely discussion, while a communal rear garden and a courtyard add a suburban feel to the artistic feel of Chelsea. Of course, there are those who won’t feel like spending their free time in ‘frivolous’ social activity, especially when there is a fully-equipped gym available for resolution-working.

On the inside, Loft 25 tries its best to invoke a feeling of comfort, security and freedom in each unit. Individual climate control throughout the apartments guarantee that families don’t have to play together to stay warm or cool. Doors are thick, constructed of solid core wood, and each unit conveniently includes a washer and dryer. Residents have private storage in the cellar. Kitchens are custom-designed with tempered glass cabinetry and countertops.

The prices for Loft 25 units remain below $1,000 per square feet, even though they have been raised a number of times since first going on sale. More than 50% of the condos have currently been sold. There remain many studios and one bedroom units, in addition to the more expensive penthouses and duplexes. The all-glass additions are also widely available.

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At first glance, Modern 23 doesn’t seem to be a luxury development worth moving into. Its standard black brick and glass façade does nothing to entice the locals to check it out, and it doesn’t have a luxury spa or warmed pool. But then again, anyone who sets foot in the building or picks up a real estate listing won’t care about the lack of a couple extra amenities. Modern 23 offers two things that other condo developments don’t: privacy and plenty of space to enjoy that privacy. And residents don’t have to pay a fortune to live there.

Modern 23 is located at 350 West 23^rd Street, in the heart of Chelsea. This area is known to be one of the more stylishly artistic parts of Manhattan, and one of the more reasonably priced, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,012/square foot. In this light, Modern 23 is slightly more expensive then the average Chelsea spot, at $1,250/square foot, but only if you go strictly by the numbers. Since the one bedroom unit here is as big as the typical two bedroom elsewhere, residents actually end up paying less.

Modern 23 is eight floors high, but its size can be deceptive. Where other developments may have up to six residences per floor, this building only has two. The difference is immediately noticeable, as families enter a “suburban” paradise in the middle of what is usually a crowded metropolis. For those who like their privacy, this small community affords more than they could wish for, especially with the elevator key-lock system restricting access to the floors (and keeping telemarketers out)! For residents who need or enjoy human contact, the rooftop terrace is a great community hangout.

The homes of Modern 23 are spacious, yet homey. The designers invested a lot of creative energy into making the homes reflect a cozy, suburban-style existence. The color tones throughout the units are clean tans, and the solid rift oak flooring sets that off nicely. Nine-foot ceilings and open floor plans expand the perception of size, which also gets an assist from the floor-to-ceiling glass façade that brings Chelsea within view, including the gallery district and Chelsea Piers, both a short walk from the building. For those who don’t like to look at the world from behind a glass wall, a sliding glass door opens onto a Juliet balcony.

Prices for Modern 23 units are low for the times. Ranging in size from 1,661-2,581 feet, the units in this building start at $1.95 million for a large one-bedroom unit, and stretch up to $2.44 million for a three bedroom, 2.5 bath condo. Most units offer one or more convertible rooms. These rooms can be utilized as an extra bedroom, a study or office. And the duplex comes with a recreation room. Many units also have private outdoor space, in addition to extra storage in the way of larger walk-in-closets and individual storage space.

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At fourteen stories, Yves Chelsea doesn’t exactly “tower” over its neighbors. But it does have a unique fantasy-movie appearance. All that glass brings back memories of the castle in The NeverEnding Story. But is life here like a fantasy movie, too?

Yves offers one, two and three bedroom residences for 41 families. Many units offer landscaped outdoor space, which are utilized through building setbacks. On a warm, moonlit night, this kind of sanctuary can be like taking a temporary trip to heaven. All units offer floor-to-ceiling windows, and some homes without terraces provide a small balcony for thinking smaller thoughts. American walnut hardwood flooring offers simple beauty, while the Bosch washer and dryer add convenience.

In addition to the outdoor space, owners here revel in the expansive layouts and great city views. The units have many other decor and design perks, including all-glass cabinets and countertops in the kitchen, along with a Miele oven and a storage area for that irreplaceable vintage wine. Residents of Yves Chelsea have access to the Abigail Michaels Concierge Service, which can help then with just about any travel or dining excursion. Or, if they prefer to work harder for their rewards, Yves’s health center is just a short jaunt away. This facility is complete with a pool, sauna and treatment room, A freestanding bath awaits the weary but well-worked resident.

Yves is located at 127 Seventh Avenue, in the heart of Chelsea, home and playground to many of the world’s up-and-coming artists. Residents have no shortage of things to do around “town,” from taking the kids to the park, to visiting one of the many fine eateries.

One-bedroom units range from 701-937 square feet, not including outdoor space. Larger two and three-bedroom homes have a considerably wider range, from 1,090 square feet to 2,367 square feet, in addition to outdoor space that ranges from the very small 50 square foot balcony to the 520 square foot landscaped outdoor terrace.

Once the site of a horse stable, the land beneath Yves has a lot of history. Late paperwork was all that kept this lot from becoming a historical landmark. Many people will see this fact as a great way to expect their property value to increase in the future. For now, units are priced at as little as $950,000 to as much as $6.95 million.

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For those who feel right at home on the stage or behind a canvas, Avant Chelsea is the place to be. Located in the creatively inclined Chelsea area, Avant invites with its many restaurants, boutiques and mom-and-pop stores. Area residents enjoy walking the tree-lined streets. The meatpacking district and The Village are within walking distance. Avant gives its residents something that even other luxury developments lack: outdoor space. Many of Avant’s one and two bedroom units have a balcony or outdoor terrace, up to 200 square feet of room to breath. And the development offers a private avant garden at ground level. The garden has a gas grill and a wet bar for enjoying a meal with friends. A soothing wall fountain encourages frequent sabbaticals.

Entering an Avant home, potential residents might feel a bit taken aback. However, the minimalist design is intentional, planned to give residents a clean canvas from which to create their masterpiece. Each level of this building has only one or two residences, cutting down on the intermingling of scents and conversations. Yet, the interior is a successful combination of creative flair and practicality. Each unit has caramelized bamboo flooring, Caesar stone countertops in the kitchen, and floor to ceiling windows. A 51-bottle wine fridge serves residents who want keep their collection kept fresh and safe. Finally, a full-size Maytag washer and dryer provide an extra incentive to keep caught up on laundry.

Amenities are the big-ticket item at Avant Chelsea. Each unit has extra storage of some sort, whether from a closet or balcony. Master baths are accessorized with unique and state-of-the-art rain showerheads. Common to all residents, residents have access to a fitness center with personal trainers. They enjoy security with electronically keyed elevators, an attended lobby, and a Siedle security system.

The one and two bedroom apartments and the penthouses at Avant Chelsea range in cost from $1.725-$3.055 million. With full-floor penthouses and an average of 1500sf, Avant is attracting attention among more than just the creatively inclined.

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With a rooftop terrace that boasts a waterfall, gazebo, spa, and an outdoor kitchen, the penthouses at 133 West 22nd might be the epitome of elegance for Chelsea’s future development, but each of the other 99 residences has its own appeal as well. The curved glass facade is a new addition to the 13-story pre-war structure, showing that traditional beauty can mix with that of the modern world. The large lobby, manned 24-hours, copies the curved style of the building’s outside, but stainless steel columns and Wenge wood walls bring a practicality to the room. 133 W.22nd is a home for those whose creative nature wants free reign. The 9′4″ ceilings allow the spirit to explore, while the view from those floor-to-ceiling windows brings the majesty of Chelsea into full focus. Residents need to bring their creativity with them, however, as the rooms are intentionally bare. This doesn’t mean to imply that the condominiums don’t offer residents sophistication. The kitchen’s black lava countertops and black/stainless-steel appliances create a modern appeal. Each kitchen also has a Bosch cook top oven a dishwasher and a Marvel wine cooler.

133 West 22^nd offers amenities that are quite unusual for the area. This is one of the only developments around to offer an outdoor pool, including an outside dining area. Also one of a kind is the rooftop terrace fully equipped with cabanas, a dining area, a wet bar and grille area. But the area also has its share of typical destinations, so those residents who don’t have the patience to stay at home can visit one of the many nearby dining and shopping locations, including Starbucks, Ben&Jerry’s and Barnes and Noble.

The designers of 133 West 22^nd have turned an old walk-up apartment building into a luxury setting for those who appreciate the area’s creative potential. The floor plans range in size from 763-2380 square feet, some with as much outdoor space as in. Many floor plans also offer an extra room that can be used as an office or den. Expected to be finished by the fall of 2008, the price of the 1 bed 1 bath at 133 West 22^nd is $965,000. Other units can be as high as $5.7 million.

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Positioned in the epicenter of artistic virtue, 650 Sixth Avenue will offer Chelsea residents a creatively pristine place to call home. Each studio, one, two, or three-bedroom condominium emphasizes open space. The thirty-foot great room seamlessly meets a sliding glass wall, only hinting at a separation between living and sleeping area. White is the prominent color in these condominiums, from white fixtures in the bath to white wood flooring and white appliances in the kitchen. A custom-designed island with Corian countertops and the addition of a glass back-splash wall add to the elegance. And while these features are universal throughout the complex, each floor plan is designed to avoid the cookie-cutter feel of many newer real estate developments.

Living at 650 Sixth Avenue will offer residents a good mix of artistic vision and down-to-Earth practicality. While an in-house art gallery works to tantalize the imagination, upstairs a private gym pushes the body to perfection. On the rooftop terrace of the seven-story building, residents will be able to socialize with each other and a breathtaking Manhattan skyline. New residents will receive a one-year membership to Quintessentially, a full-service concierge agency that takes care of everything from dinner reservations to travel arrangements, so there will be no reason for residents to avoid the finer things that Chelsea offers. On one day, a trip to one of the 200 or so nearby galleries might be the ticket, while another day might demand a more active approach to life with a bike-ride or other recreational activity at Chelsea Piers.

Community features such as personal storage and a wine cellar bring it all home, in more ways than one. Condo owners will have private storage space and a spot in the wine cellar for their personal favorite. Finally, a full time porter and an on-site super will add a personal touch that many New York developments lack.

The 67 condominium residences at 650 Sixth Avenue range in cost from $945,000 to $2.8 million. Designed by Perkins Eastman, this development opened sales in the summer of 2007 and expects to be ready for occupancy by January 2008. Their sales office is located at the corner of 20^th Street and 6^th Avenue.

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Located in the comfortable, cultural area of Chelsea, 100 West 18 is as close to suburban bliss as New York City offers. A Best Buy and Barnes and Noble bookstore is within blocks, and the neighborhood offers the typical family-oriented destinations like Bowlmor Lanes and the Hudson River Park Playground. For adults, the Loews Theater and Chelsea art museum are within walking distance. And while there is a belief in some circles that 100 West 18^th is intended for single residents, (a rumor that would seem to be corroborated by the fact that most of the units sold so far have been to the “unattached,” the 100 West website tells a different story. In fact, the site includes a Parks/family link in its Neighborhood page.

100 West 18^th offers a variety of condo sizes; the 800 square foot units may appeal to the “Friends” crowd, but the larger 1, 2, and 3-bedroom condominiums are great for couples, families, and even extended families. Each unit comes with a G.E. washer and dryer and extra storage space, since there always seems to be more “stuff” than there is space. Each floor plan is unique, so residents have a good chance of finding one that can fit their individual needs. Other amenities are more typical of luxury developments, including a twenty-four hour concierge and a chilled package room for those gourmet mail-order cheeses and chocolates.

As the force behind the 100 West 18^th, Garret Gourlay is Australia’s contribution to Manhattan architecture. The building’s facade of black brick iridescence reveals the curves and form of New York’s most cultural and creative neighborhood. Part of Gourlay’s purpose seems to be to emulate that creative spirit, both inside and out. As an example, the lobby advertises fine art with a unique in-home art gallery, while pleasing the eye with porcelain walls in earth tones, and stone and wood decor throughout. Like other newer condominium developments, the he takes an offensive approach to the declining fitness of Americans by providing outdoor areas to barbecue or lounge. 100 West 18^th also offers residents access to its 2,000 square foot clubroom, where residents can get and stay in shape using top-quality gym equipment.

100 West 18^th has a lot to offer potential residents, and considering that eight condos in the development were sold at prices ranging from one to six million dollars in the first week, people seem to be reacting favorably to this soon-to-be residential hotspot.

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