Walk down 24th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues and you might miss it. Honestly, that’s the point. While the glass towers of Hudson Yards are screaming for attention just a few blocks north, 160 West 24th Street New York—better known to locals as The Carteret—just sits there, looking like it’s seen a century of Manhattan secrets and isn't impressed by any of them. It’s got that specific pre-war gravity. You know the one. Heavy brick, thick walls, and a lobby that feels like it belongs in a noir film.
Chelsea is weird now. It’s expensive, obviously. But it’s also a mix of high-concept art galleries and "luxury" buildings that look like they were built with LEGO sets. 160 West 24th Street is different. Built in 1928, it’s a survivor. It represents a version of New York that people say doesn't exist anymore—one where you actually have enough room to swing a cat in your living room and the walls are thick enough that you don't have to hear your neighbor's 3:00 AM existential crisis.
The Reality of Living at 160 West 24th Street New York
Let's get real about the space. In a modern "luxury" studio in Chelsea, you’re basically paying $4,500 a month to live in a walk-in closet with a dishwasher. The Carteret pulls a bit of a bait-and-switch, but in a good way. Because it’s a pre-war building, the layouts are often surprisingly generous. We're talking about high ceilings. We're talking about entry foyers. Who even has a foyer anymore? Most modern apartments just dump you straight from the hallway into your kitchen sink.
The building is 17 stories tall and houses around 200 units. It was converted to a co-op years ago, which usually means the board is strict, but it also means the building is incredibly well-maintained. If you’re looking at 160 West 24th Street New York, you’re looking at a place with a 24-hour doorman who actually knows your name. That matters. In a city of 8 million people, having someone acknowledge your existence when you stumble home with groceries is a luxury that beats a rooftop pool any day.
Speaking of roofs, the one here is actually decent. It’s not a "party roof" with neon lights and a DJ booth. It’s a place where you go to see the Empire State Building and realize why you pay too much in taxes. It's quiet.
Why the Location is Actually the Main Character
Location is a cliché. We get it. But 160 West 24th Street sits at a very specific nexus. You’re technically in Chelsea, but you’re a three-minute walk from Flatiron and about five minutes from NoMad. You have the F and M trains literally at the end of the block. The 1, 2, 3 are a five-minute sprint away.
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If you live here, your "backyard" is Madison Square Park. That’s where you go for the original Shake Shack, though if you're a local, you know the line is usually too long and you're better off hitting up the food hall at Eataly nearby. Or, honestly, just go to Whole Foods. It’s right there on 7th Avenue. Living at 160 West 24th Street New York means you never have to carry heavy bags for more than two blocks. That is the ultimate New York power move.
What People Get Wrong About Pre-War Chelsea
People hear "pre-war" and think "crumbling pipes." Okay, sometimes that's true. But at 160 West 24th Street, the infrastructure has been handled. This isn't a tenement building. This was built for the middle and upper-middle class of the late 1920s. The bones are solid.
The biggest misconception is that these older buildings are "stuffy." Not really. The Carteret has a mix of long-time residents who remember when Chelsea was gritty and young professionals who work in the Google building down on 8th Avenue. It’s a weird, functional ecosystem. You’ll see a guy in a tailored suit sharing the elevator with an artist who’s lived there since 1974 and still wears paint-splattered overalls. That’s the real New York.
The Logistics: Taxes, Maintenance, and the Board
Buying into 160 West 24th Street New York isn't like buying a condo. It’s a co-op. This is where people get tripped up. You aren't buying the four walls; you're buying shares in a corporation that owns the building.
- The Board Interview: It's legendary for a reason. They want to know you’re financially stable. They want to know you won't be throwing ragers every Tuesday night.
- Financing: Usually, you’re looking at a 20% to 25% down payment requirement.
- Maintenance Fees: These cover the doorman, the live-in super, the roof deck, and your heat and hot water. In this building, they're relatively mid-range for Chelsea.
Is it worth the hoop-jumping? Usually, yes. Co-op prices per square foot in Chelsea often lag slightly behind the astronomical prices of new-build condos. You’re getting more "home" for your money, even if the process of getting the keys feels like applying for a top-secret security clearance.
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The "Hidden" Perks of 24th Street
There’s a specific quietness to this block. Even though it’s between two major avenues, it doesn’t get the same "honking madness" that 23rd or 14th Street gets. You’ve got the Chelsea Savoy Hotel nearby and a bunch of small boutiques.
If you're a coffee snob, you're spoiled. Variety Coffee Roasters is right there. If you want the best bagel in the area, you’re walking a few blocks to Murray’s, but it’s worth the steps. Living at 160 West 24th Street New York gives you access to the High Line without having to live in the tourist swarm that surrounds it. You’re close enough to walk there in ten minutes, but far enough away that you don't have to see a million selfie sticks every time you leave your front door.
The Investment Angle: Does 160 West 24th Street Hold Value?
Real estate in New York is basically a blood sport. But Chelsea is one of those neighborhoods that stays "blue chip." Even when the market dips, people still want to be near the galleries and the tech hub. 160 West 24th Street New York has historically held its value because it’s a "stable" building. It doesn't have the high turnover of some of the newer rentals.
If you look at the sales history over the last decade, you see a steady climb. It’s not the explosive, speculative growth you see in parts of Brooklyn, but it’s reliable. It’s the "boring" investment that actually pays off because people will always want a doorman building with high ceilings in the 10011 zip code.
Dealing with the Noise (Let's Be Honest)
It’s Manhattan. Let's not pretend it's a silent monastery. You’re going to hear sirens. You’re going to hear the occasional delivery truck. But because the Carteret was built with actual brick and stone—not the paper-thin glass and steel of the 2020s—the sound insulation is significantly better than what you'll find at a brand-new "luxury" development.
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If you get a unit facing the back of the building, it’s remarkably quiet. If you’re on a lower floor facing 24th Street, you’re part of the city. Some people hate that; some people find it comforting. Personally, I think if you want total silence, you should move to Westchester. You come to Chelsea for the energy.
How to Actually Get a Unit Here
Units at 160 West 24th Street New York don't stay on the market long. When a studio or a one-bedroom pops up on StreetEasy, you usually have about a week before it’s in contract.
- Get your "Board Package" ready before you even look. Have your tax returns, your bank statements, and your reference letters in a folder.
- Look for "estate condition" units. These are apartments that haven't been renovated since the Carter administration. They’re cheaper. If you have the stomach for a renovation, you can turn a dated unit into a masterpiece and instantly gain equity.
- Talk to the doorman. Seriously. Sometimes they know who’s thinking about moving before the listing even hits the internet.
Final Thoughts on The Carteret
The building isn't flashy. It doesn't have a virtual reality golf simulator or a pet spa with a dedicated dog masseuse. What it has is dignity. It’s a solid piece of New York history that functions perfectly in the modern world. If you want a place that feels like a real home—not just a temporary landing pad—this is it.
If you’re seriously considering a move, start by walking the block at different times of day. Stand across the street and look up. Notice the architectural details. Walk to the 23rd Street subway station and see if the commute works for you. Check out the local grocery stores. Buying a home at 160 West 24th Street New York is more than just a real estate transaction; it's a commitment to a very specific, very classic New York lifestyle.
Check the most recent listings on StreetEasy or Zillow, but don't just trust the photos. Go see it. Feel the weight of the front door. Stand in the lobby. You’ll know within thirty seconds if you’re a "Carteret person" or if you belong in one of those shiny glass boxes in Hudson Yards. Most people who move here end up staying for a long time, and in a city as transient as New York, that says more than any marketing brochure ever could.