A view of the 508-534 West twenty sixth Avenue constructing advanced in West Chelsea, Manhattan (photograph Isa Farfan/Hyperallergic)
An esteemed nonprofit desires to show a West Chelsea arts constructing available on the market into an artist residency program whereas preserving longtime tenants of their studios.
The Wolff Constructing at 508-534 West twenty sixth Avenue was listed available on the market earlier this yr, a transfer contested by artists and residents. The Elizabeth Basis for the Arts submitted a suggestion in April to buy it and set up a studio program much like its West thirty ninth Avenue flagship, the place artists have obtained sponsored workspaces by an annual software course of since 1998.
“It is extremely important to preserve what I believe is the largest concentration of creative workers in Manhattan,” Anne-Brigitte Sirois, a principal at Artwork State LLC who helped formulate the muse’s bid with Eagle Level Properties and Artwork State, instructed Hyperallergic. “Artists contribute immeasurable cultural value to New York City and play a critical role in sustaining Chelsea’s character and real estate strength.”
Beneath the proposal, the Elizabeth Basis would personal the 362,000-square-foot constructing, whereas Eagle Level Properties, a non-public actual property agency, would act as a co-borrower and guarantor, and all three events would share its governance. The provide quantity was not disclosed.
Basis officers envision preserving the historic warehouse’s roughly 200 current artists, designers, and galleries whereas introducing shared cultural areas {and professional} improvement sources, together with curatorial visits, peer critiques, and networking alternatives.
“This model is not limited to the Wolff Portfolio. It is replicable,” Sirois mentioned. “If not here, then in other buildings where artists and creative businesses already cluster.”
The location’s future stays within the palms of attorneys representing the property of Raymond and Gloria Naftali, who put the lot up on the market final December for $170 million.
The Naftalis bought the business constructing a half-century in the past and transformed it into artist studios, attracting distinguished tenants together with photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, painter Ross Bleckner, and conceptual artist Glen Ligon, in addition to galleries resembling Berry Campbell, Galerie Lelong, and Morgan Lehman.
Gloria Naftali, who co-founded Chelsea’s Greene Naftali gallery, had hoped the constructing would stay an artist haven in perpetuity, however didn’t embody a authorized directive requiring her want in her will. As an alternative, attorneys representing Naftali’s property declare the constructing just isn’t worthwhile sufficient to assist the arts-related initiatives of the Raymond and Gloria Naftali Basis, of which they’re each trustees (Raymond died in 2003).
Resident artists and Manhattan Councilman Erik Bottcher rallying towards the West Chelsea constructing sale in June 2025 (photograph courtesy Judi Harvest)
Three years after Naftali’s demise, the constructing’s standing as an artwork hub stays unsure. 4 provides have emerged, together with the Elizabeth Basis’s bid, in addition to one from Bedrock Mini-Storage, an artwork storage facility one block west of the Wolff Constructing, sources accustomed to the negotiations mentioned. Bedrock declined to remark for this story.
Thus far, the Naftali trustees haven’t accepted any provides.
“We continue to explore options for the property that would allow us to preserve a substantial portion of the building for the artist community and gallery space,” Derek Wolman, a associate at Davidoff, Hutcher & Citron, which represents the property, mentioned in an announcement.
The uncertainty has precipitated some galleries to query whether or not they need to renew their long-term leases or seek for alternate options. After Naftali died, trustees inserted a clause into new and renewed leases that might enable any new proprietor to filter out tenants with solely 180 days’ discover.
“It’s hard for these galleries because they plan exhibitions at least a year out, if not two, and they guarantee these exhibitions on that timeline,” Paul Michael Graves, an artist and Wolff Constructing tenant who’s making a documentary movie concerning the constructing, instructed Hyperallergic. “That is one of the primary reasons why galleries are looking to leave before any new deal is announced.”
Others are planning to stay it out. Morgan Lehman Gallery not too long ago signed a five-year lease and has no plans to maneuver.
“We have been in four locations in the last 20 years in Chelsea, and this building works best for our needs,” mentioned Jay Lehman, Morgan Lehman’s co-founder. “We are hopeful that whoever buys the building will keep it as an affordable creative hub as Gloria had envisioned.”
Most artists are staying put of their studios, too. Tenants held an indication with Chelsea Councilman Erik Bottcher in entrance of the constructing in June to protest its pending sale. Little motion has occurred since then, however three tenants had been evicted over the summer season, the trustees mentioned.
The constructing hasn’t lacked exercise this month. Style Week designers have taken up a number of vacant areas, whereas its semi-annual open studios occasion returns this weekend.
Graves wonders whether or not this would be the final open studios the constructing experiences.
“I have relationships with people in the building, I get wisdom and advice from them. Everything a community stands for exists here,” he mentioned. “It’s not just a matter of whether artists need spaces.”
