We seek to restore the historical Terminal Warehouse in West Chelsea while adapting it for modern use as a high-performance, biophilic workplace that will reactivate the structure and reinvigorate Eleventh Avenue’s streetscape. Originally constructed in 1891 by the Terminal Warehouse Company, the facility remains a potent symbol of New York City’s industrial past. With this renovation, the Warehouse will continue its legacy into the 21st century. Over time, several of the “stores”, or segments of the Warehouse, were altered, renovated or expanded in response to changing uses and various damages.
By reorganizing the building’s interior spaces and accentuating the defining features of brick, timber, windows and iron, we will complement and enhance Terminal Warehouse’s historical evolution. A planted courtyard at the center of the Warehouse will bring sunlight to the depths of the building for the first time. New penthouse-style additions will create terraces for additional green space and orient the building to the waterfront. The rooftop addition is designed to sit lightly over Terminal Warehouse’s historical masonry structure, with modern glass and metal modules embedded with garden loggias and contained within a light metal frame.
Drawing on principles of biophilic design, the Warehouse will connect occupants to nature with direct access to gardens and green space and encourage health and wellness through interior design strategies. A set of rail tracks that run the length of the building and once directly linked freight trains to ships on the Hudson River will be fully restored as the beating heart of Terminal Warehouse. In addition to maintaining the authentic character of the structure and restoring its vitality on the streetscape, Terminal Warehouse will become a high-performance, 21st century workspace incorporating state-of-the-art energy efficiency strategies and achieving rigorous wellness certification standards.