Elliott-Chelsea Houses

{{short description|Public housing development in Manhattan, New York}} {{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Chelsea-Elliott Houses | official_name = | other_name = | settlement_type = NYCHA property | image_skyline = View east down 26th Street, Manhattan, from High Line.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = Chelsea-Elliott Houses in 2013 | nickname = | motto =

| mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 9 | map_alt = | map_caption = Location in New York City | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_caption1 = | pushpin_map =  | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|40.748880|-74.001530|type:city_region:US-NY|display=inline,title}} | coor_pinpoint =  | coordinates_footnotes =

| unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |title=Chelsea-Elliott Houses Area |url=https://my.nycha.info/DevPortal/Portal |access-date=November 7, 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | area_total_sq_mi = 0.010 | population_total = 2,323 <ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|title=Chelsea-Elliott Houses Population|url=https://my.nycha.info/DevPortal/Portal/DevelopmentData}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | population_density_km2 = auto

| population_note = | postal_code_type = ZIP codes | postal_code = 10001 | area_codes = 212, 332, 646, and 917 | website = {{URL|https://www.fultonelliottchelsea.com/home}} | footnotes = | blank_name = Average household income | blank_info = }} The '''Elliott-Chelsea Houses''' is a combined housing project of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), located between West 25th and 27th Streets and Ninth and Tenth Avenues in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It consists of two contiguous projects which were originally separate but have been combined for administrative purposes: the '''John Lovejoy Elliott Houses''', named after the founder of the Hudson Guild, has four 11- and 12-story buildings which accommodate over 1400 residents in 589 apartments.<ref name=":0">[http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/developments/manelliot.shtml "Elliott Houses"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021173013/http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/developments/manelliot.shtml |date=October 21, 2012 }} on the NYCHA website</ref> The '''Chelsea Houses''' has over 1,000 residents in 426 apartments within two 21-story buildings.<ref name=":1">[http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/developments/manchelseaelliot.shtml "Chelsea Houses"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630180144/http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/developments/manchelseaelliot.shtml |date=June 30, 2011 }} on the NYCHA website</ref>

== History == Prior to development, the Elliott Houses were criticized by the United States Housing Authority who cited the land value being higher than other housing projects. NYCHA broke ground in December 1945 and were completed on July 15, 1947. Designed by William Lescaze, they were one of the first examples of high rise tower in the park style.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=POb6DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA278|title=Europe Meets America: William Lescaze, Architect of Modern Housing|last=Caramellino|first=Gaia|date=2016-08-17|publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing|isbn=9781443898423|language=en}}</ref> The Chelsea Houses were designed by architect Paul L. Wood<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/04/26/118036650.html|title=NEW CITY HOUSING TO COST 83 MILLION; Record Program Calls for More Than 5,500 Homes NEW CITY HOUSING TO COST 83 MILLION|last=|first=|date=April 26, 1961|website=The New York Times|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-06-26}}</ref> and construction started in 1961 and completed on May 31, 1964.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/08/21/98541645.html|title=CHELSEA HOUSING SET; Work to Start in December on 2 Buildings With 425 Flats|last=|first=|date=August 21, 1961|website=The New York Times|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410033527/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/08/21/98541645.html|archive-date=April 10, 2024|access-date=2019-06-26|url-status=live}}</ref> The Chelsea Houses were aided by the state for $8.3 million.<ref name=":2" /> In 2012, NYCHA converted a parking lot in the development into a 168 unit building for low-to-middle-income households.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/nyregion/in-chelsea-a-great-wealth-divide.html|title=In Chelsea, a Great Wealth Divide|last=Navarro|first=Mireya|date=2015-10-23|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-05-10|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909005256/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/nyregion/in-chelsea-a-great-wealth-divide.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Development firms Related Companies and Essence Development proposed rebuilding the Elliott-Chelsea Houses and the nearby Fulton Houses in early 2023.<ref name="Brand 2023 p713">{{cite web |last=Brand |first=David |date=March 15, 2023 |title=Once a long shot, a plan to demolish and rebuild Chelsea public housing complex sees new life |url=https://gothamist.com/news/once-a-long-shot-a-plan-to-demolish-and-rebuild-chelsea-public-housing-complex-sees-new-life |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=Gothamist |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621140142/https://gothamist.com/news/once-a-long-shot-a-plan-to-demolish-and-rebuild-chelsea-public-housing-complex-sees-new-life |url-status=live }}</ref> In a survey in June 2023, residents of the Elliott-Chelsea Houses and Fulton Houses voted in favor of demolishing the existing towers and constructing a 3,500-unit apartment complex on the same site. At the time, NYCHA officials estimated that the complexes needed about $1 billion in repairs and that it would cost about as much to build new complexes on the site.<ref name="The New York Times 2023 v631">{{cite news |last=Zaveri |first=Mihir |date=June 21, 2023 |title=NYC Moves on $1.5 Billion Plan to Tear Down and Replace Public Housing |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/20/nyregion/public-housing-demolish.html |access-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621002551/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/20/nyregion/public-housing-demolish.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Brand 2023 y071">{{cite web |last=Brand |first=David |date=June 21, 2023 |title=Tenants vote to demolish and rebuild Chelsea public housing complexes |url=https://gothamist.com/news/tenants-vote-to-demolish-and-rebuild-chelsea-public-housing-complexes |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=Gothamist |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621024709/https://gothamist.com/news/tenants-vote-to-demolish-and-rebuild-chelsea-public-housing-complexes |url-status=live }}</ref> PAU, COOKFOX Architects, and ILA were hired in early 2024 to design the Fulton Elliott-Chelsea Plan, which would involve converting 2,056 NYCHA apartments into mixed-income units.<ref>{{cite web |last=Roche |first=Daniel Jonas |date=August 11, 2023 |title=NYCHA announces plans for "complete rebuilding" of Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses in Manhattan. But at what cost? |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2023/08/nycha-announces-plans-complete-rebuilding-fulton-and-elliott-chelsea-houses-manhattan-what-cost/ |access-date=October 13, 2024 |website=The Architect's Newspaper}}</ref> Under the plan, six new towers would be built on the two sites before the existing buildings were demolished.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brand |first=David |date=October 11, 2024 |title=NYC public housing tenants make last-ditch push to stop demolition in Chelsea |url=https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-public-housing-tenants-make-last-ditch-push-to-stop-demolition-in-chelsea |access-date=October 13, 2024 |website=Gothamist}}</ref> NYCHA's board approved the redevelopment of the Fulton Houses and Elliot-Chelsea Houses in November 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Tatyana |date=October 31, 2024 |title=NYCHA Board Green Lights Plan to Demolish & Rebuild Lower Manhattan Developments |url=https://citylimits.org/2024/10/31/nycha-board-green-lights-plan-to-demolish-rebuild-lower-manhattan-developments/ |access-date=November 4, 2024 |website=City Limits}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kimmelman |first=Michael |last2=Barth |first2=Lila |date=October 31, 2024 |title=Radical Plans for Public Housing Stir Up Hope, and Doubt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/31/arts/design/radical-plans-for-public-housing-stir-up-hope-and-doubt.html |access-date=November 4, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The proposed cost for the two projects had risen to $1.9 billion by early 2025.<ref>{{cite web | last=Elstein | first=Aaron | title=As construction costs rise 'particularly fast,' price tag for new Chelsea public housing jumps | website=Crain's New York Business | date=March 14, 2025 | url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/price-tag-new-public-housing-chelsea-jumps-thanks-inflation-and-tariffs | access-date=June 6, 2025}}</ref> Opponents sued to prevent the demolition of the buildings; the lawsuit gained notice after the pro-se plaintiffs admitted to using generative artificial intelligence in legal filings.<ref>{{cite web | last=Brenzel | first=Kathryn | title=The Daily Dirt: Judge rejects challenge to housing ballot proposals | website=The Real Deal | date=October 16, 2025 | url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2025/10/16/judge-tosses-common-sense-caucus-ballot-measure-suit/ | access-date=October 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Elstein | first=Aaron | title=Judge slams public housing lawsuit after discovering it was written by AI | website=Crain's New York Business | date=October 15, 2025 | url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/ny-judge-slams-public-housing-lawsuit-after-discovering-it-was-written-ai | access-date=October 16, 2025}}</ref>

In 2025, PAU Architects discontinued their collaboration with Related because "no proper resident engagement was carried out".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stiffler |first=Scott |date=2025-11-17 |title=Guest Opinion: NYCHA’s Chelsea Plan Collides with Its Residents - Chelsea Community News |url=https://chelseacommunitynews.com/2025/11/17/guest-opinion-nychas-chelsea-plan-collides-with-its-residents/ |access-date=2025-12-22 |language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2025, the project cost had escalated to $2.4 billion, with the price per unit reaching $1.2 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elstein |first=Aaron |date=2025-12-10 |title=New public housing in Chelsea to cost $1.2M per apartment |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/new-public-housing-chelsea-cost-12-million-apartment |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=Crain's New York Business |language=en}}</ref> Elderly residents also sued to pause the development, testifying that many residents had limited English proficiency and that it would be onerous for them to have to relocate twice.<ref>{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Greg B. | title=Why 24 Seniors Are Holding Up NYCHA's $1.2B Plan to Demolish and Rebuild Chelsea Complex | website=THE CITY - NYC News | date=2026-03-25 | url=https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/03/25/nycha-chelsea-elliott-fulton-addition-seniors/ | access-date=2026-03-31}}</ref> A state appeals court issued an injunction in March 2026, preventing further demolition temporarily.<ref>{{cite web | last=Elstein | first=Aaron | title=Appeals court halts $2B Chelsea NYCHA redevelopment plan | website=Crain's New York Business | date=2026-03-26 | url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/commercial/cny-appeals-court-halts-nycha-chelsea-redevelopment-20260326/ | access-date=2026-03-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Smith | first=Greg B. | title=Appeals Court Pauses Demolition of NYCHA Chelsea Complex | website=THE CITY - NYC News | date=2026-03-26 | url=https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/03/26/appeals-court-chelsea-elliott-fulton-houses-pause/ | access-date=2026-03-31}}</ref>

== Notable people == * Stephanie Andujar (born 1986), actor<ref>Guerra, Erasmo (November 4, 2009). [http://www.prdream.com/wordpress/topics/2009/11/1498/ "A ''Precious'' opportunity for young nuyorican actress"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022152209/http://www.prdream.com/wordpress/topics/2009/11/1498/ |date=October 22, 2023 }}, Puerto Rico and the American Dream, November 7, 2009. Accessed February 4, 2022. "Andujar spent the latter part of her childhood in the Chelsea-Elliott Houses, where she endured the hard luck of being the new girl on the block."</ref> * Antonio Fargas (born 1946), actor * Whoopi Goldberg (born 1955), actor<ref>[https://www.amny.com/news/whoopi-ing-it-up-for-hudson-guild/ "Whoopi-ing it up for Hudson Guild"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203172107/https://www.amny.com/news/whoopi-ing-it-up-for-hudson-guild/ |date=February 3, 2022 }}, ''AM New York Metro'', June 21, 2005. Accessed February 4, 2022. "Whoopi Goldberg received the Hudson Guild's first Arts in the Community Award and was the guest of honor at the official opening ceremony for the new Hudson Guild Dr. John Lovejoy Elliott Center at 441 W. 26th St. in Chelsea. Goldberg grew up in the nearby Chelsea Elliott Houses and attended the settlement house, where her mother was a teacher, as a youngster."</ref> * Wayans family (lived there in the 1970s and 1980s), comedians

==See also== * New York City Housing Authority

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Chelsea-Elliot Houses}} * [http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/nycha/downloads/pdf/Chelsea.pdf NYCHA webpage]

Category:Residential buildings in Manhattan Category:Public housing in Manhattan Category:Chelsea, Manhattan Category:Residential buildings completed in 1947 Category:Residential buildings completed in 1964