# NEW YORK | 251 West 14th St | 120 FT | 11 FLOORS **URL:** \ **Category:** Completed\ **Created:** [September 25, 2014, 8:18pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023 "2014-09-25T20:18:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![infoshare](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/infoshare/32/18825_2.png) [@infoshare](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/infoshare)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 1:24pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023/41 "2024-11-08T13:24:13Z")
> [@TKDV](#): > > The metal panels here are meeting that requirement while also functioning as the required operable portion of the exterior wall to let fresh air into the units when needed/wanted. Yes, that aspect was discussed here before: it is the deep set-back that I am trying to understand. **I realize I have not been clear about the point.** Thanks. I guess the deep set-back aspect of those panels have a similar technical explanation. It still looks very odd, and unfortunately will become a roosting spot for pigeons… 🤣 Thanks again for the input. I hope those window panels are ‘set-back’ because of some building code requirement - they really do look very odd. They actually make that facade look almost ugly. What were they thinking this would look like… ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/0/9/09aaf33170b0c594e39b032687891c640e32a8f6.jpeg) Photo by Micael Young **It was a poorly handled architectural detail - OMHAO. I My Humble Amateur Opinion. 😉** _Good discussion here on Pigeons & NYC window sills. - enjoy._ Previous Spam post removed. [https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/m3ix1l/are\_pigeons\_living\_on\_your\_windowsills\_just\_a/?rdt=62166](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNYC/comments/m3ix1l/are_pigeons_living_on_your_windowsills_just_a/?rdt=62166) ---
**Author:** ![stache](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/stache/32/30186_2.png) [@stache](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/stache)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 3:13pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023/42 "2024-11-08T15:13:51Z")
^ Spam. ---
**Author:** ![infoshare](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/infoshare/32/18825_2.png) [@infoshare](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/infoshare)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 4:05pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023/43 "2024-11-08T16:05:38Z")
> [@stache](#): > > ^ Spam. **I have had this issue on my street facing window. Maybe that is why I am a bit hung-up on the issue… 🤔** I will see if I can find an article that is not an Ad for a product or service. I wanted to make my point about that deep recess: this is really an odd feature. _It is bad BOTH in terms of aesthetics, and M&O planning - maintenance & operation._ I doubt that recess is a code requirement: just looks like a bad design decision. The ‘overall’ architectural design if fine; but that panel looks really bad. **It truly looks CaCa. 🤣** ---
**Author:** ![TKDV](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/tkdv/32/83069_2.png) [@TKDV](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/TKDV)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023/44 "2024-11-08T17:01:56Z")
I can’t think of a code reason that would necessitate the need for them to be recessed, since everything is within the property line anyways, it seems much more like it was just a design decision. The architects probably didnt want the deep mullion to be visible on the interior so they just pushed the metal part to be flush with the backside of the mullion on the interior. It also give the building some depth, otherwise it would be extremely flat if everything was on the same plane. ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 2:51pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023/45 "2024-11-15T14:51:22Z")
> **[The Elisa Wraps Up Construction at 251 West 14th Street in Chelsea, Manhattan...](https://newyorkyimby.com/2024/11/the-elisa-wraps-up-construction-at-251-west-14th-street-in-chelsea-manhattan.html)** > > Construction is finishing up on The Elisa, an 11-story, 25-unit project by Isay Weinfeld Architects in Chelsea, Manhattan. Photos by Michael Young ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/b/3/b38e5e84d8dc13010d17e6a6e2fd3b6a5f60a1e0.jpeg) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/8/c/8cf57d219c5f5a9c3eaa2293c336d48f279609e9.jpeg) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/c/d/cd4d3a4fbe2ba7ba8393bcaca2f0459b64100697.jpeg) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/c/9/c9eb54b08f6db30243b56b4d1067a218cb6da16b.jpeg) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/0/9/09b239e67713bf8afd6eb3a9fe43f5a022ac1cd6.jpeg) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/7/6/7644c12ddf0b74a416b4856171452f6623cf31d4.jpeg) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/9/0/90e6d9fb4414e35d4c4c5c86a82363a54d375661.jpeg) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/2/6/2674b32a4bc3494224200836f9b8f7ec5a385980.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![stache](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/stache/32/30186_2.png) [@stache](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/stache)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 3:29pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023/46 "2024-11-15T15:29:21Z")
It’s so plain. ---
**Author:** ![infoshare](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/infoshare/32/18825_2.png) [@infoshare](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/infoshare)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023/47 "2024-11-15T19:21:41Z")
The interior design of these apartments are high quality and tasteful: and that is what matters most to the future home owners. Take a look a the video posted as proof positive. I even like the way those metal ‘window’ panels function; sort of a fresh air access panel. 😉 The architecture is another story. The deep recess on the facade looks bland (an odd) enough - then that flat metal panel make matters aesthetically worse. 🥴 I suspect their was some ‘functional’ or ‘code’ requirement that led to that odd looking recess. Perhaps because the back section of the windows open outward, and that deep recess accommodates that protruding section. FROM THE WEBSITE - once can see part of the window opening outward… ![633ec9f0c95acbecbf43d52e_TU1131-US-NewYork-TheElisa (Rework)_VP_Interior_Living02_Rev02_Post-min-p-3200](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/1/2/127b504a9fce24ca2348bd5b1d414f48b6846c18.jpeg) **Pure speculation on my part: but that is sort of what we do here… 😇 🤔 😍** > [@NEW YORK | 251 West 14th St | 120 FT | 11 FLOORS](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023/37): > > This one is finally complete. star_struck The is a nice enough looking work of architecture; and the interiors are exceptional. I find those blank metal panels next to each window a bit odd looking: but apparently they serve some sort of function. I think the idea is to provide an operable door to let in fresh air; without the need to create separate operable window panes that would divide-up the large single pane windows. One of the largest “Single Pane” windows in NYC. The mullion-free (u… ---
**Author:** ![stache](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/stache/32/30186_2.png) [@stache](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/stache)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2024, 3:30pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023/48 "2024-11-16T15:30:43Z")
Yeah really bad that those panels are not glass. Looks awful. I guess you could attach mirrors. ---
**Author:** ![TKDV](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/tkdv/32/83069_2.png) [@TKDV](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/TKDV)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2024, 4:56pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023/49 "2024-11-16T16:56:35Z")
There is **no** code requirement that would’ve created the setback condition (for the last time) for the operable metal panels, operable panels, whtehr glass or metal (just any type of operable residential window) are only allowed to open 4" inward or outward (not both ways, some windows just open out and some in). And even though the renders show the windows opening outward, they really open inward which even if they did open outward the setback is way more than 4". It is clear that it is just a design decision, and I don’t understand why that is so hard to believe. Why on earth would anyone want the building to be completely flat if the metal panels were inline with the glass portion. This introduces shadows to the facade. Like I said before, they are just being aligned to the backside of the mullion. Why would you want your operable panel to be so far outward from reach with a deep mullion and sill in the way, especially since they open inward. ---
**Author:** ![JC\_Heights](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/jc_heights/32/90668_2.png) [@JC\_Heights](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/JC_Heights)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2025, 10:50pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023/50 "2025-05-13T22:50:18Z")
![1000034404](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/3/a/3a39a4074e1e3fa20c389cb9bf656db4842f630a.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![infoshare](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/infoshare/32/18825_2.png) [@infoshare](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/infoshare)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2025, 2:10am UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023/51 "2025-05-14T02:10:32Z")
Nice photo JC. It appears at least one apartment is now occupied: unless that is the sales model apartment. I found a website that has is a particularly good photo set; and have posted it below. There is a photo showing one of the large single pane (no mullion) windows being hoisted from the back of a truck - my favorite pic of the set. 😍 The solid metal window panels on the facade are a bit bland looking; but - as we have learned from reading this thread - they do function well for the purpose of providing fresh air and ventilation for the interiors of each apartment. This one gets the Vitruvian Triad award: beauty, usefulness & solidity. Particularly the “usefulness” aspect for the great functionality of the windows - and interior design in general. > **[The Elisa - New York](https://www.extravega.com/portfolio/the-elisa/)** > > Extravega is leading custom manufacturer of residential, commercial windows, door. Storefronts. Installed in a residential building in Manhattan. _BTW - Those recessed window panels on the facade are actually flush with the interior wall surface: which may explaing why they are recessed on the facade. **My best guess.** _ 😇 [Previous page](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-251-west-14th-st-120-ft-11-floors/1023.md?page=2)