Lion's Head,
121 West 19th Street

Overview of Lion's Head at 121 West 19th Street

The Lion's Head at 121 West 19th Street has a dramatic origin story that speaks to New York City's resilience. Originally constructed in 1903 as a commercial building, it suffered a devastating basement explosion in April 2002 that injured 30 people and darkened its façade. Rather than demolish the structure, Alchemy Properties purchased the building for over $25 million and undertook an ambitious conversion, transforming it into 67 luxury condominiums that debuted in 2005. The building's distinctive lion's head façade detail gives the property its memorable name and character.

The conversion architects Fox & Fowle and Hustvedt Cutler created a mix of loft-style residences ranging from 766 to 3,948 square feet, with four duplex penthouses featuring skylights and private terraces. Many apartments showcase dramatic ceiling heights between 10 and 16 feet, complemented by oversized European-style tilt-and-turn windows that provide both abundant natural light and superior soundproofing. The building's loft aesthetic is enhanced by rich oak hardwood floors, while Poggenpohl custom cabinetry and Viking Professional Series appliances are standard features across units.

Lion's Head offers full service amenities including a 24-hour doorman, live-in superintendent, and a 5,000-square-foot landscaped rooftop deck with panoramic city views. The pet friendly building provides private storage units for residents and features video monitoring throughout. Many apartments include duplex layouts with steel staircases leading to mezzanine levels, central air conditioning, and in-unit washers and dryers.

The building's prime Chelsea location places residents steps from Madison Square Park, Union Square, and the High Line, with easy access to renowned restaurants, shopping destinations like Eataly and Whole Foods, and multiple transportation options. This combination of dramatic architectural conversion, luxury finishes, and coveted location has established Lion's Head as one of Chelsea's most distinctive residential addresses.