In renovating the 330,000-square-foot West Coast, the developer, then known as the Rockrose organization, found the problem of deep space compounded because the project consisted of 10 separate buildings on the block-square site.

"The buildings, formerly cold-storage warehouses for meatpacking companies, were made of different materials and were of various heights," wrote Lee A. Daniels in a November 19, 1982 article in The New York Times about the project.

The solution devised by the architects, Rothzeid Kaiserman & Tomson, P.C., was to bring natural light into the 300 residential units by punching through the facade to gain as much window space as possible. The effort worked, Bernard Rothzeid said, because the seven-story structure is not in the shadow of any taller buildings.

"The apartments, of 700 to 2,000 square feet, range from studios to three-bedroom triplexes with fireplaces, spiral staircases, skylights and up to three different terraces. Rents are from $1,120 to $2,225, Mr. Rothzeid said. The renovation started in 1980," the article said."

The complex renovation took place at about the same time as another was advancing a few blocks to the south at 130 Barrow Street where Jeffrey Katz had commissioned Stephen B. Jacobs to create an atrium courtyard to provide more light for that project’s 54 condominium apartments.

The 10-story West Coast has a very large and attractive entrance marquee with a revolving door.

The building, which is between Washington and West Streets, has a 24-hour concierge, bicycle storage, a fitness center, video security, a garage, and a two-level landscaped roof deck with children’s playground. Some apartments have fireplaces, skylights and exposed brick walls and terraces. The building is pet friendly.

It is also known as 521 West Street, 76-108 Gansevoort Street and 802-816 Washington Street.

The rental building is owned by T. F. Cornerstone.