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Chelsea Houses vs Elliott-Chelsea Houses: What to Expect in Chelsea, NY

  Mukul "Micky" Lalchandani  ·  6 minute read

chelsea-houses-vs-elliott-chelsea-houses

NYCHA manages the Elliott-Chelsea Houses as a single development, but the buildings on that campus were constructed decades apart. Both names turn up constantly in news coverage of the planned demolition and rebuild, often used as if they mean the same thing.

Key Takeaway

Chelsea Houses is one of the three NYCHA developments grouped under the Elliott-Chelsea name. The real comparison is between the original Elliott buildings and the later Chelsea additions, and between today's campus and what the redevelopment plan would replace it with. If you're weighing whether to negotiate on a condo now or wait for new supply, know two things: the rebuild is a multi-year undertaking, and the median condo sale price in Chelsea recently fell 13.5% year over year.

Who This Guide Is For

You're trying to sort out whether these two names refer to separate developments, and whether the planned redevelopment should change how you approach buying or searching on Chelsea's west side.

Are Chelsea Houses and Elliott-Chelsea Houses Different?

"Elliott-Chelsea Houses" is an administrative consolidation of three originally separate NYCHA developments: the John Lovejoy Elliott Houses, the Chelsea Houses, and the Chelsea Addition Houses. Together with the separate Fulton Houses, they make up the four NYCHA developments that form the Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses Redevelopment Project site.

History of the Elliott and Chelsea Houses

The John Lovejoy Elliott Houses were completed in 1947. They are named after John Lovejoy Elliott (1868-1942), a social reformer who founded the Hudson Guild settlement house and was a major force in getting the Chelsea and Elliott developments built.

The rest of the campus came much later. Chelsea Houses were completed in 1964 and the Chelsea Addition Houses in 1968, more than two decades after the first buildings.

Building Differences Between Elliott and Chelsea Houses

The combined Elliott-Chelsea Houses Project Site includes 10 existing buildings: seven apartment buildings, two community facility buildings, and one storage or garage building.

These structures range from 1 to 21 stories and together hold 1,112 NYCHA dwelling units, according to the 2024 scope-of-work filing. The main differences across the campus are era of construction and scale, with the 1960s additions considerably larger than the original 1940s structures. These figures describe the campus as it stands today; the redevelopment would replace much of it.

Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Redevelopment Plan

NYCHA selected Essence Development and The Related Companies as the resident-chosen PACT development team to redevelop the Fulton, Chelsea, Chelsea Addition, and Elliott Houses campuses. NYCHA's Master Development Agreement calls for 100% replacement of the 2,056 existing NYCHA apartments across Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea in new buildings.

Once fully built out, the campus will hold up to 5,510 total units. Up to 3,094 of those will be permanently affordable, a figure that includes both the rebuilt public housing units and new affordable mixed-income units.

HUD has not given final approval to the full demolition and redevelopment master plan. In early August 2026, HUD reissued two conditional approvals covering only the first two buildings. Some outlets mischaracterized these as full approval of the 5,510-unit plan.

Construction is phased over years, so blocks near the campus may see staging and noise for a long stretch. Phase 0 began with relocating residents of Chelsea Addition and Fulton Building 11. Once those households are consolidated, demolition and new construction proceed. The first NYCHA replacement building at Fulton is targeted for completion around 2030, and the first at Elliott-Chelsea around 2029.

What the Redevelopment Means for Buying in Chelsea

Today's condo market already favors buyers. There are 238 condos for sale, and sellers are getting a median 99.2% of their asking price. Asking prices are being cut before deals close, so time on market and price history are where you can negotiate.

The redevelopment adds mostly rental supply, and only years from now, so it is not a reason to hold off if you're buying a condo today. The new market-rate units are planned as rental apartments, not condominiums. Officials have stated that these market-rate and mixed-income apartments help finance the publicly owned replacement housing.

If a building near the site is on your shortlist, search NYC DOB's Building Information System for active and filed permits on the surrounding blocks. You can also ask the listing agent or managing agent whether the building has been notified of nearby demolition or construction. Chelsea housing market trends show prices falling across all home types, across the entire neighborhood. If you're choosing between condos and co-ops in Chelsea, the redevelopment adds neither, since every new unit is a rental.

Questions to Narrow Your Search

  1. Do you just need to know what the names mean? Read the sections above on whether the developments are different and their history, then stop.
  2. Is a building on your shortlist within a few blocks of the campus? Read the redevelopment plan details and check construction permits and phase dates before making an offer.
  3. Are you deciding whether to buy in Chelsea now or wait for new supply? Review what the redevelopment means for buying. The new units are mostly rentals arriving years out, while today's condo inventory is already high.
  4. Are you applying for public housing, or do you live in the development? Skip to the FAQs on applying and the right to return, which point to NYCHA's official sources.

If you want a shortlist across the wider area, comparing areas within Chelsea will show you options beyond the blocks around these developments. Neighborhood fit and lifestyle matter here too, since buildings near the campus face years of construction nearby. Buyers considering other locations can compare the best neighborhoods in Chelsea, New York.

At a Glance

  • Chelsea condo median sale price: $1,600,000, down 13.5% year over year (condo, 90 days ending 2026-09-30)
  • Chelsea condo median price per sq ft: $1,714 (condo, 90 days ending 2026-09-30)
  • Chelsea condos sold: 143; condos for sale: 238; months of supply: 5.1 (condo, 90 days ending 2026-09-30)
  • Chelsea condo median days on market: 69; sale-to-list: 99.2%; sold above list: 12.1% (condo, 90 days ending 2026-09-30)
  • Chelsea all homes median sale price: $1,694,525, down 8.4% year over year; 155 sold; $1,708 per sq ft; 5.2 months of supply (all homes, 90 days ending 2026-09-30)

Elliott-Chelsea Houses FAQs

Where Are the Elliott-Chelsea Houses in Manhattan?

The Chelsea, Chelsea Addition, and Elliott Houses are generally bounded by West 27th Drive to the north, 9th Avenue to the east, West 25th Street to the south, and 10th Avenue to the west. Chelsea Park sits on the north side, and the buildings carry the ZIP code 10001. The closest subway is the 23rd Street station on the IND Eighth Avenue Line, served by the C and E trains, a few blocks east of the campus.

Did a Judge Stop the Elliott-Chelsea Houses Demolition?

After tenants sued, a Manhattan appeals court issued a temporary restraining order in February 2026 halting demolition and extended it in March 2026. On July 9, 2026, the Appellate Division affirmed the lower courts' denial of preliminary injunctions. That ruling lifted the stay and allowed NYCHA, Related and Essence to resume moving forward with demolition. Tenant harassment suits and other challenges remain ongoing.

When Will the New Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Buildings Be Finished?

Only the first replacement buildings have target dates (see the redevelopment plan above). All 2,056 public housing units are slated to be replaced before any of the roughly 3,454 additional mixed-income apartments are built. Check the official NYCHA or HPD project page to confirm the current schedule.

Can You Buy an Apartment at Chelsea Houses or Elliott-Chelsea Houses?

No. Existing apartments are NYCHA rentals, and the redevelopment's new units will be rentals too. If you're looking to purchase, focus on the condo and co-op inventory in the surrounding neighborhood.

How Do You Apply for an Apartment at the Elliott-Chelsea Houses?

Submit a public housing application via ApplyNYCHA, selecting a first and second borough choice. As of 2026, NYCHA's rules were reported to have shifted from development-specific selection toward borough and city-wide waiting lists, which limits the ability to pick a specific development. NYCHA determines final eligibility and performs a criminal background check only when a suitable apartment becomes available.

Do Current Elliott-Chelsea Residents Have a Right to Return After Redevelopment?

Yes. NYCHA has committed that every current Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea resident will have the opportunity to return to a suitable apartment in the redeveloped campus. Temporarily relocated residents get a refurbished unit elsewhere on the campus, have their moving costs covered by NYCHA, and sign a Right to Return Agreement. Accepting permanent off-campus relocation assistance ends that right.

Sources

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