Chapman, Friedland Plan 1,064-Unit Project on Upper West Side

Two developers are kicking the tires on a project that could bring thousands of homes to Manhattan’s “Automobile Row.”

The Chapman Group and Friedland Properties are seeking to rezone land next to DeWitt Clinton Park on the West Side, Crain’s reported. The rezoning would be in service of a two-building project with a combined 1,064 residential units, according to an application filed with the Department of City Planning.

One tower at 629 West 54th Street would stand 42 stories tall and feature 617 units and 113,000 square feet of commercial space for a car dealership. The site houses a six-story structure that’s partially vacant already.

The other tower sited for 801 11th Avenue would be slightly more demure, standing 38 stories tall with 447 units and 85,000 square feet of commercial space, also earmarked for a car dealership. A three-story car dealership already on site is vacant.

All together, the development would span more than 1 million square feet and include 940,000 square feet of residential space. It’s unclear what the price tag for the project would be, but the developers are seeking to complete construction in 2029.

First, they’ll need to go through the city’s arduous rezoning process, no sure bet for any developer. Chapman and Friedland also applied for special permits for potential land transfers from local piers, which requires the Hudson River Park Trust to sign off. The executive vice president of the organization appeared amenable to the possibility.

Friedman and Chapman did not respond to requests for comment from Crain’s.

There have long been conversations about the future of Automobile Row, arguably the primary place in Manhattan for consumers to buy cars. Dealerships in the area today include Land Rover, Audi and Lamborghini.

The developers are in partnership on another project on the Upper East Side. Last spring, the partners and Councilmember Julie Menin reached an agreement for a residential project on East 94th Street that will include 487 units — 30 percent of them affordable — though the project may not be able to move forward without a significant tax break in place.

— Holden Walter-Warner