Local leaders are stepping up to try and save a beloved Chelsea arts hub that’s going up for sale.
Philanthropist Gloria Naftali and her late husband Raymond opened the West Chelsea Arts Building in 1993 to provide cheap studio space to artists and galleries.
It’s been home to some of the art world’s biggest names like Ross Bleckner, Louise Fishman, Glen Ligon, Gary Simmons, and Hiroshi Sugimoto.
Gloria died in September 2022. Now the 400,000-square-foot building at 508-534 West 26th Street has been put up for sale by her estate for $170 million, and residents fear that it will lead to higher rents or even artists getting the boot.
City Council member Erik Bottche, US Representative Jerry Nadler, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, and Assembly Member Tony Simone have sent a letter to the Raymond and Gloria Naftali Foundation asking them to reconsider selling the space, which they say contributes “significantly to the cultural fabric of New York City.”
“The potential sale of this building poses a serious threat to the livelihoods of approximately 200 tenants, many of who have established deep roots in the community,” says the letter. “Gloria Naftali’s wish, as stated in her will, was to maintain the building’s character primarily for artist studios and galleries.”
(According to ArtNet, her will read: “It is my wish, but I impose no legal obligation, that the Foundation maintain the character and use (primarily for artist studios and galleries) of the building.”)
They have requested a meeting with the foundation to “explore all possible avenues to safeguard this vital resource for the community,” and are asking that tenants voices be heard.
Bottcher, who represents Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and Hell’s Kitchen, tells us he first heard about the problem from tenants who fear they will be evicted.
“They are worried that the Naftali Foundation is going to sell this building to the highest bidder with no regard to them,” Bottcher tells us. “It could mean wholesale displacement.”
Green Naftali Gallery, Berry Campbell, Galerie Lelong, and Fergus McCaffrey are also in the building.
“New York City has been an artist’s haven for 400 years and the affordability crisis is threatening our ability to maintain that status,” Bottcher tells Page Six.
Derek Wolman, an attorney for Naftali’s estate, told ArtNet that the Foundation does not have enough money to maintain the building and that proceeds of the sale will go to causes that were close to Naftali.
“This is a major piece of real estate; it’s not going to sell in one day,” he told the site. “I don’t think anyone is in danger of losing their leasehold in the near future or even in medium future. We are hopeful we can find someone who will to keep the character of the building as an artist building and a gallery building.”
