| Building Address: | 541 W 21st St, New York NY 10011 |
| Building Alternate Address: | 541 W 21st St |
| Zip Code: | 10011 |
| Neighborhood: | Chelsea |
| Borough: | Manhattan |
| Stories: | 9 |
| Year Built: | 1915 |
| Building Class: | B |
| Block & lot: | 00693-0010 |
541 West 21st Street, located in the West Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, was originally constructed in 1915. Initially serving as a storage building and a venue for displaying arts from around the city, the structure has a long industrial history.
In a recent transformative project, the building underwent a significant repositioning and renovation to convert it into a modern office building known as The Frame Building. This renovation included a complete overhaul of the facade to enlarge window openings, allowing more natural light and air into the interior spaces, aligning with the needs of contemporary tech and media tenants.
The facade redesign introduced new brickwork and a grid of rectangular windows with copper-toned trims, adding a fresh character while respecting the building’s industrial roots. The street presence was dramatically improved by lowering the first floor to street level, adding prominent retail storefronts and a new glass wall entryway. A canopy was also added to echo the building's industrial heritage.
Inside, the building features a newly designed two-story lobby that functions as the primary entrance for commercial tenants and honors the building’s legacy as a destination for the arts. This lobby includes a rotating gallery space showcasing local artists’ work, fostering community engagement.
Substantial infrastructure upgrades were implemented to meet modern standards and tenant expectations. These included new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as a building core redesigned for code compliance and improved egress.
A notable amenity added during the repositioning is a landscaped rooftop terrace designed to activate an otherwise unused space, providing tenants with an outdoor gathering area and event space offering views of the Hudson River and the Chelsea neighborhood.
The Frame Building now consists of eight stories, with floor sizes ranging from 5,000 square feet at the ground level to approximately 9,000 square feet on the upper floors. Interior finishes include refurbished brick walls, polished concrete floors, modern bathrooms, and air conditioning units, creating a high-quality office environment while preserving elements of the building’s historic character.
This comprehensive renovation reflects a trend of preserving and repurposing historic industrial buildings in Manhattan’s Chelsea area to meet contemporary commercial needs while maintaining architectural and cultural heritage.
541 West 21st Street
Address: 541 West 21st Street, Chelsea, Manhattan, NY 10011
Year Built: 1915
Building Class: Office with Commercial 7-19 Stories (O6)
Building Area: 55,141 sqft
Stories: 8
Zoning: M1-5
Recent Updates: Repositioned in 2019 with facade redesign, street-level retail activation, and roof terrace amenities. Currently known as The Frame Building.
Tax Assessment: $23.85M market value | $1.07M annual property tax (2024-2025)
Ownership: Erbo Properties and Higher Ground Development (via Mancini Duffy partnership)
The building at 541 West 21st Street offers several upscale amenities:
Key Amenities:
- Lobby with Rotating Gallery of Modern Art: Showcases pieces from local artists, engaging the community.
- Outdoor Landscaped Rooftop: Serves as a gathering area for tenants and hosts community events.
- Rooftop Lounge: Offers stunning views of the Hudson River and the surrounding Chelsea neighborhood.
Additional Features:
- Offices with Italian-made windows facing south.
- Exposed and refurbished brick walls, polished concrete floors.
- Modern new bathrooms and air conditioning units.
Tenants Rented / Leased at 541 W 21st St, Manhattan, NYC
541 West 21st Street, also known as The Frame Building, is an eight-story office conversion located in West Chelsea, Manhattan.
The building features approximately 65,000 square feet of office space with floors ranging from 5,000 square feet on the ground floor, 8,000 square feet on the second floor, and 9,000 square feet for floors three through eight.
Tenants enjoy amenities including a lobby with a rotating gallery of modern art, an outdoor landscaped rooftop, and a rooftop lounge with views of the Hudson River and Chelsea neighborhood.
The office spaces feature four Italian-made south-facing windows per floor, exposed and refurbished brick walls, polished concrete floors, new bathrooms, and air conditioning units.
While currently the building has commercial retail spaces available for lease on the ground floor (5,000 SF) and the second floor (8,034 SF), specific tenant names are not publicly disclosed.
The building underwent a major repositioning and modernization in 2022, enhancing its street presence and tenant experience to attract tech, media, and creative companies.
Internet Providers Available at 541 W 21st St, Manhattan, NYC
The following internet service providers offer coverage in Manhattan, including the area around 541 W 21st St:
- Verizon Fios: Known for high-speed fiber-optic internet with plans starting at 300 Mbps and up to 2 Gbps. It covers approximately 85% of Manhattan and offers bundling options with TV and phone services.
- Astound Broadband Powered by RCN: Provides cable and fiber internet options with speeds up to 1.5 Gbps. Known for competitive pricing and unlimited data usage.
- Spectrum: Widely available throughout Manhattan with cable and fiber internet, offering speeds up to 1 Gbps. Spectrum plans often include TV and phone bundles with added perks.
- Optimum: Offers cable and fiber internet with speeds up to 8 Gbps, available in parts of New York City including Manhattan.
- Xfinity: Cable internet with speeds up to 2 Gbps, broadly available in NYC.
- Satellite providers such as HughesNet, Viasat, and Starlink offer options where wired connections may not be feasible but generally have lower speeds.
- Fixed Wireless Providers like Starry Internet and XNET WiFi provide alternatives with speeds up to 1 Gbps in select areas.
Manhattan benefits from a robust fiber and cable infrastructure enabling high-speed internet options suitable for a variety of needs, from streaming and gaming to professional and business use.
Transportation & Cross Streets
- Closest Subway: 23 Street Station (A/C/E Lines, 0.6 mi walk)
- Cross Streets: Between 10th-11th Avenues on W 21st Street
- Bus Route: M12 at 11 Av/W 23rd St (0.065 mi)
