Did you know that London Terrace, this massive apartment complex, was once envisioned as a solution to Manhattan’s space problem? This complex occupies an entire city block. It sits on Manhattan’s West Side. It is bordered by Ninth and Tenth Avenues and 23rd and 24th Streets.
Welcome to London Terrace. It is more than just an apartment building. It is a piece of New York City history. Construction began in 1929. It cost over $25 million. That is equivalent to over $443 million today. At the time, it was planned to be the largest apartment building in the world.
The name “London Terrace” comes from a previous development. These were 80 houses resembling London flats. They were built in 1845 by Alexander Jackson Davis. Investor Henry Mandel chose this location. He wanted to provide affordable housing for “white collar” workers. It was close to midtown Manhattan offices. Architect Victor C. Farrar compared London Terrace to Rockefeller Center. He believed large-scale projects conserved space. They also modernized the city.
Interestingly, the land was leased from the descendants of Clement Clarke Moore. He is the author of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The older buildings, including “Chelsea Cottage,” were demolished after their 85-year leases expired. The cornerstone was laid by Clement Clarke Moore’s great-great-grandson in December 1929.
London Terrace boasts about 1,700 apartments. They are spread across 14 buildings. These buildings range from 17 to 19 stories high. It also features an Olympic-sized swimming pool. When completed in 1930, the block’s population increased dramatically. It went from about 400 to roughly 5,000 residents. The complex offered many amenities. These included restaurants, a gymnasium, and a “modernistic garage”. The garage had club rooms for both patrons and chauffeurs. An internal phone system connected all apartments and businesses.
Here is a fun fact. Babe Ruth once dressed as Santa Claus at a London Terrace Christmas party in 1932. He gave gifts to hundreds of children. Some were residents. Others were invited by The Salvation Army.
However, the Great Depression hit hard. London Terrace fell into default in 1933. Developer Henry Mandel declared personal bankruptcy in 1932. Yet, by 1934, the building was 94% rented. This was due to several factors. These were the opening of a subway station, lower rents, and advertising. Free facilities for residents also helped.
Today, London Terrace operates as two entities. These are London Terrace Towers and London Terrace Gardens. Residents can still enjoy the swimming pool, health club, and roof deck. The building is located near the High Line, Penn Station, and Chelsea Market.
London Terrace has been home to many famous people. These include Nicole Kidman, Annie Leibovitz, and Debbie Harry. Its rich history and prime location make London Terrace a unique place. It is a true “city within a city”.