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Projects

Chelsea Beacon

Transforming a historic West Chelsea building through adaptive reuse into affordable and supportive housing designed for greater performance and resilience.

Lead Contact

Joanna Kaczmarski

Principal

Project Details

Project Partners

COOKFOX Architects

Owner

Camber Property Group and Osboren Association

Location

New York, New York

Completion Date

2029

Area

100,000 ft²

Chelsea Beacon is a $167-million affordable and supportive housing development transforming the historic former Bayview Correctional Facility in Manhattan’s West Chelsea neighborhood. — Chelsea Beacon in Manhattan. Thornton Tomasetti

The project will create up to 131 permanently affordable apartments, a 15-unit short-term transitional residence, and 9,300 square feet of community space. — Chelsea Beacon in Manhattan. Thornton Tomasetti

The design retains the historic main and annex buildings while adding new construction within the interior courtyard and a seven-story overbuild. — Chelsea Beacon in Manhattan. Thornton Tomasetti

Set back from the street wall, the addition will be clad in masonry that complements the historic façade. The chapel will be restored and repurposed, while the tile mosaic from the building’s former swimming pool will be preserved and reinstalled in the residential lobby. — Rendering of the renovated Chelsea Beacon in Manhattan. Courtesy COOKFOX Architects

Adaptive Reuse Creates Affordable Housing in West Chelsea

Chelsea Beacon is a $167-million affordable and supportive housing development transforming the historic former Bayview Correctional Facility in Manhattan’s West Chelsea neighborhood. The project will create up to 131 permanently affordable apartments, a 15-unit short-term transitional residence, and 9,300 square feet of community space.

Integrating New Construction with a Historic Building

The design retains the historic main and annex buildings while adding new construction within the interior courtyard and a seven-story overbuild. Set back from the street wall, the addition will be clad in masonry that complements the historic façade. The chapel will be restored and repurposed, while the tile mosaic from the building’s former swimming pool will be preserved and reinstalled in the residential lobby. All-electric building systems are also planned.

Thornton Tomasetti is working with COOKFOX Architects and Camber Property Group, providing restoration and renewal, façade engineering, sustainability and resilience, and acoustics, noise, and vibration services. The multidisciplinary team is addressing the complexities of adapting the existing structure and integrating new construction while enhancing building performance and resilience.