Buying a home in Chelsea: a guide from Lisa Maysonet

Chelsea runs along Manhattan’s West Side from roughly 14th Street to 34th Street, between the Hudson River and Sixth Avenue. Few neighborhoods offer this range of homes: 19th-century rowhouses, large pre-war co-ops and some of the city’s most ambitious new condominiums, all within a few blocks of each other.

What makes Chelsea distinct

The High Line, the elevated park built on a former freight rail line, runs through the heart of the neighborhood and has shaped much of its newer development. West Chelsea holds one of the largest concentrations of art galleries in the world, mostly in the West 20s between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues. Chelsea Market, Hudson River Park and the Chelsea Piers sports complex are all close by, and Hudson Yards sits just to the north.

Types of homes

• Townhouses and brownstones, especially in the Chelsea Historic District around West 20th to 22nd Streets between Eighth and Tenth Avenues, near the General Theological Seminary.
• Pre-war co-ops, including landmark buildings such as London Terrace, which spans a full block of West 23rd Street.
• New-development condominiums along the High Line, including designs by architects such as Zaha Hadid at 520 West 28th Street.

What buyers should know

Chelsea’s new condominiums and its pre-war co-ops involve very different purchase processes. Condos generally allow more flexibility on financing, pied-à-terre use and subletting. Co-ops require a full board package and an interview. Buyers also weigh noise and foot traffic near the High Line against the quieter side streets, and in new development they should review the offering plan, common charges and tax abatements carefully.

Working with Lisa in Chelsea

Lisa Maysonet has worked in Manhattan real estate for 40 years and has negotiated more than $1 billion in property. Her team guides buyers through both condo closings and co-op board approval, and helps sellers position Chelsea homes for both domestic and international buyers.

Talk to Lisa about buying or selling in Chelsea

Chelsea: frequently asked questions

What are Chelsea’s boundaries?

Chelsea generally runs from 14th Street to 34th Street, between the Hudson River and Sixth Avenue. West Chelsea, west of Tenth Avenue, is home to the gallery district and most of the High Line condominiums.

Is Chelsea mostly co-ops or condos?

Both. The side streets and older avenue buildings are largely pre-war co-ops and townhouses, while West Chelsea along the High Line is dominated by newer condominiums.

What is the Chelsea Historic District?

It is a landmarked area centered on West 20th to 22nd Streets between Eighth and Tenth Avenues. It protects rows of 19th-century townhouses, so renovations to building exteriors there need Landmarks Preservation Commission approval.

Who is a good real estate agent for buying in Chelsea?

Lisa Maysonet, Associate Broker with Team Maysonet at Sotheby’s International Realty, has 40 years of Manhattan experience and guides buyers through both Chelsea condo purchases and co-op board approval.