Terminal Warehouse, a historic landmark in West Chelsea, has been reimagined as a modern workspace and headquarters hub while preserving its industrial legacy. A large void carved into the existing structure introduces air and light into its core, creating a central courtyard and a series of private tiered terraces for tenants.

Terminal Warehouse originated as “Central Stores” – one of the most important industrial, transportation, and warehousing centers in New York during the early 20th century is located in the historic West Chelsea neighborhood, just east of the Hudson River and south of the iconic Starrett-Lehigh building.

The new courtyard serves as a quiet urban refuge, fostering biophilic connections and moments of contemplation within the bustling city. Positioned at the heart of the building, the courtyard is visible from the building’s main pedestrian tunnel, connecting interior and exterior spaces.

Drawing inspiration from Manhattan’s geological history, the central courtyard features a sculptural landform that provides the soil profile for a diverse canopy of trees, understory plantings, shrubs, and perennials native or adapted to the Northeast region. A sinuous walking loop winds through the space, circumnavigating the central topography.

Sustainability and resourcefulness were a primary driver in the design process, in addition to LEED Platinum and WELL Gold certifications, building materials were reused in the landscape spaces. Reclaimed materials, including salvaged stone for paving and timber columns transformed into benches, enhance the courtyard’s relationship to its historic character. The timber, originally part of Terminal Warehouse’s supporting structure, was sourced from old-growth longleaf pine in Alabama and confirmed by dendrochronologists to date back to 1512.

Above the courtyard, a series of garden spaces, including the 8th-floor amenity terrace, provide elevated views which overlook the space below. The 8th-floor terrace serves as a flexible, vibrant venue for events both day and night within a “meadows in the sky” planting concept. To create a cohesive aesthetic and strengthen ecological connections throughout the 100,000 square feet of outdoor space, the landscape design introduces a “kit of parts” for the tenant terraces, ensuring a unified design language and reinforcing ecological connections throughout the entire building.