In the 19th century, West Chelsea was the shipping and industrial core of Manhattan, a hive of energy pressed up against a bustling commercial waterfront. Today, it is once again an engine for the city, yet it has been reborn as something entirely new: a 24-hour residential community that boasts every convenience and is at the vital center of the city's cultural life. Anchored by the pioneering Dia Center, the area has established itself as the premier venue in the United States for contemporary art, and will soon be home to a major new satellite of the Whitney Museum of American Art.

West Chelsea is much more than a home for inventive visual arts, though it certainly succeeds at that. Beyond its gallery culture, it is a vital community of boutiques and shops for leading-edge fashion, home furnishings and antiques. The High Line, a 1.5 mile former elevated railway cum landmark park and recreation facility, will be a city icon for years to come, and serve as the ultimate symbol of this fully rejuvenated neighborhood. With an entrance on 18th Street and 10th Avenue, this vibrant park is just a half block from Chelsea Modern.