Sure enough, DNAinfo reported back in April that there were indeed plans for a nine-story hotel on the 9th Avenue side of Chelsea Market, but that locals vehemently pooh-poohed the project, favoring either office space instead, or simply no construction at all.
AJC, the expansion would help New York compete as a viable destination for high-tech companies to set up offices (Google and the Food Network already have headquarters here).
But neighborhood preservationists argue the new twin structures would detract from the building's reputation as "an icon of adaptive reuse." And it's true: part of the market's appeal is its well-preserved factory aesthetic (with plenty of exposed brick and pipes poking out of the walls).
The opponents also argue that another hotel would be unnecessary in this neighborhood, as it's already inundated with trendy places like The Standard, The Gansevoort, The Maritime, and Dream Downtown. Well, we can't argue with that either.
For what it's worth, our hope was that the developers would be able to build something a little less trendy and exclusive than those hotels, and, while still sticking to the cookie theme, something that would be nightclub-free, and manage to keep rates reasonably low. Is that too much to ask?
What are your thoughts on a Chelsea Market hotel? Would you stay here, or just pick from one of the other trendy spots in the neighborhood? Let us know in the comments below!
[Photo: LuxuryRentals]


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