| Bulding Address: | 254 W 23rd St, New York NY 10022 |
| Building Name: | Hahn Kook Center |
| Building Alternate address: | 460 Park Ave |
| Zip Code: | 10022 |
| Neighborhood: | Plaza District |
| Borough: | Manhattan |
| Stories: | 22 |
| Year Built: | 1920 |
| Building Class: | B |
| Block & lot: | 01293-0035 |
History of 254 West 23rd Street, Manhattan, NYC
In the early 1850s, 254 West 23rd Street was constructed as a new brick Italianate style house, measuring 25 feet wide and rising three stories above a high English basement. The building featured distinctive architectural details including molded lintels above the windows, a cast iron cornice with foliate decorations, and likely a cast iron balcony at the parlor level.
The house was originally home to the William O. Kent family. William O. Kent lived there until his death in January 1856, with his funeral held in the parlor of the residence. His son Henry F. Kent held a supervisory administrative position with the City’s Street Department in 1854.
By the 1860s, residents began moving away from the neighborhood as the block gradually transitioned from residential to commercial use. By 1887, the building was purchased by real estate dealers S. F. Jayne & Co., who commissioned renovations by the architectural firm Napoleon Le Brun & Son. The 1887 alterations involved removing the basement and first story walls, installing a new iron staircase in place of the original stoop, and adding a cast iron storefront for commercial use on the basement and parlor levels. This firm conducted real estate business extensively from the location for many years.
In the early 20th century, the building continued serving commercial and mixed uses. In the mid-20th century, it was retained despite surrounding redevelopment: an investor acquired neighboring properties in 1943 and the Broadway Savings Bank purchased the combined site in 1945, but preserved the Kent house while constructing new buildings nearby.
By the 1950s and 1960s, the lower levels of 254 West 23rd Street hosted cultural and retail tenants, including the Regina Gallery exhibiting art shows and later a florist shop. A renovation in 1987 converted the lower levels into a restaurant space, with the Provencal-style Eze opening in 1988.
As of 2024, demolition permits have been filed signaling major redevelopment plans, marking the end of an era for this historic Italianate building that witnessed the evolution of Chelsea from a mid-19th century residential block to a commercial and artistic neighborhood.
254 West 23rd Street
Location: Chelsea, Manhattan, New York, NY 10011
Building Details:
- Year Built: 1920
- Stories: 3
- Units: 3
- Lot Size: 2,468 sq ft (25 ft x 98.75 ft)
- Building Class: Zoned Commercial or Manhattan
- Gross Leasable Area: Approximately 4,700 sq ft
Floor Area Breakdown:
- Basement: 1,026 sq ft
- Ground Floor: 1,378 sq ft
- Parlor Floor: 1,326 sq ft
- Second Floor: 1,008 sq ft
- Third Floor: 1,008 sq ft
- Additional Garden Area: Approximately 1,000 sq ft
Features:
- Full building with potential for various commercial uses including offices, showrooms, or creative spaces
- 25-foot frontage on West 23rd Street
- Rare opportunity for full building identity with two flag poles in place for branding
Neighborhood & Transportation:
- Located in the Chelsea neighborhood, close to the Highline, Chelsea Hotel, galleries, and theaters
- Closest subway station: 8th Ave & 23rd St (C, E lines), approximately 0.04 miles away
- Bus route nearby: M23+ at W 23 St / 8 Av
Market & Ownership Data:
- Purchase Price (2019): $4,750,000
- Estimated Property Tax: $20,776 annually
- School District: 2
- Community District: 4
- FEMA Flood Zone: X
- Hurricane Evacuation Zone: 5
- Historic Architecture: Italianate-style building with original cast iron details and cornice
- Commercial Space: 4,700 SF retail/office configuration across 3 stories
- Garden Area: Includes outdoor garden space
- Location Features: Steps from 23rd Street subway station (1, A, C, E trains)
- Dining History: Former restaurant space in basement/ground level
Office Tenants at 254 W 23rd St, Manhattan, NYC
254 West 23rd Street is a historic commercial building located in Chelsea, Manhattan. Over the years, it has housed a variety of office and creative tenants:
- In the early 20th century, the upper floors accommodated the Phelps School of Design.
- By 1901, the second floor was occupied by Charles A. Flammer, a dealer specializing in American tiles and art ceramics.
- The building has historically served as office space for firms such as the real estate dealers S. F. Jayne & Co. in the late 19th century.
More recently, the property has been marketed as a multi-floor office and retail space with approximately 4,700 square feet total across basement to third floors, suitable for creative uses, flagship headquarters, membership clubs, furniture showrooms, and office tenants.
The building features:
- Basement: ~1,026 SF
- Ground Floor: ~1,378 SF
- Parlor Floor: ~1,326 SF
- Second Floor: ~1,008 SF
- Third Floor: ~1,008 SF
The property remains vacant now but continues to be a unique opportunity for office tenants seeking a full-building identity in Chelsea, Manhattan.
Internet Providers at 254 W 23rd St, Manhattan, NYC
- Verizon Fios: High-speed fiber internet with speeds up to 2.3 Gbps. Known for reliable service and availability covering most of Manhattan.
- Astound Broadband Powered by RCN: Offers cable and fiber internet with speeds up to 1.5 Gbps. Popular for competitive pricing and unlimited data usage.
- Spectrum: Provides cable and fiber internet with speeds up to 1 Gbps. Widely available throughout Manhattan and known for bundled services.
254 W 23rd St, Manhattan, NYC
Location:
254 W 23rd St is located in the heart of the Chelsea neighborhood, between 7th and 8th Avenue.
Transportation:
- Subway: Steps away from the 23rd Street 1, A, C, and E train.
Cross Streets:
- North: 24th Street
- South: 22nd Street
- East: 7th Avenue
- West: 8th Avenue
Public Transit Nearby:
- Subway Lines: 1, A, C, E
- Buses: Available along nearby avenues.
Neighborhood:
Chelsea is known for its vibrant nightlife, art galleries, and diverse dining options.
