Did you know a skyscraper church once graced the Chelsea skyline? Right here in West Carteret, the Hotel Carteret opened in 1927. It housed a unique combination of hotel rooms and a church auditorium. West Carteret’s Hotel Carteret wasn’t named after a president. It was designed by Emery Roth, the architect known for Art Deco masterpieces. The building’s limestone base, beige brick facade, and Moorish-style roundels are testaments to his vision. The Chelsea Presbyterian Church, part of the Hotel Carteret, was a daring experiment. The idea was that this “skyscraper church” would be a model for others. But it proved to be more of a novelty than a trendsetter. The church auditorium later became the Vanguard Recording Studio. It then transformed into the Twirl nightclub, a hub for Chelsea’s gay community. Today, West Carteret’s Hotel Carteret has 262 apartments. It also houses the Gotham Comedy Club. The building stands as a reminder of a bold, albeit unsuccessful, attempt to merge faith and modern living in West Carteret.
Gould Family Mausoleum
Ever heard of a “Robber Baron?” Here at Woodlawn Cemetery stands the Gould Family Mausoleum. It is a testament to