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121 West 19th Street
Last updated on Feb 1, 2026

Lion's Head,
121 West 19th Street

The Lion's Head Condominium is a 1920's building restored in 2006, combining character and modern luxury. Located in Chelsea, it offers amenities like a doorman and is close to transportation, restaurants, shopping, and parks. Currently, 1 apartment is for sale.

121 West 19th Street Location Map
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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.

Doorman
Full Time
Type
Condo
Year Built
1920
Converted: 2005
Apartments
Floors
11
Pets: Allowed
Neighborhood
Min Down
20%

Amenities

  • Attended Lobby
  • FT Doorman
  • High-Rise
  • Pre War
  • Resident Storage
  • Central AC
  • Rooftop Terrace
  • Video Intercom
  • Elevator
  • Outdoor Entertainment Space
  • In-Unit Washer/Dryer
  • Live-In Superintendent
  • Terraces / Balconies
  • Virtual Doorman
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  1. 1
at 7th Ave 0.12 miles
  1. M
  2. F
at 6th Ave 0.19 miles
  1. 2
  2. 3
  3. L
at 6th Ave and 16th 0.20 miles
  1. A
  2. C
  3. E
at 8th Ave and 16th 0.32 miles
  1. N
  2. R
at Broadway 0.33 miles
  1. Q
  2. 4
  3. 5
  4. 6
at Broadway and 16th 0.46 miles

Pros & Cons

  • Good Chelsea location
  • Not far from Madison Square Park
  • Roof deck
  • Private storage
  • Doorman
  • Close to Subway
  • Full service building with 24 hour doorman and live-in superintendent
  • High end finishes including Viking appliances and Poggenpohl cabinetry
  • Historic 1920s pre-war building restored in 2006 with modern luxury
  • In-unit washer/dryer in apartments
  • Prime Chelsea location near transportation, restaurants, and shopping
  • Pet friendly
  • Rooftop deck with panoramic city views and outdoor entertainment space
  • High ceilings (10-16 feet) and oversized windows with city views
  • Sound proofed windows
  • No sidewalk landscaping
  • No garage
  • No balconies

CityRealty Rating

17
/44
Architecture
+
21
/36
Location
+
12
/39
Features
+
7
Editor’s Points
=
57
CITYREALTY
RATING
  • How is the CityRealty Rating calculated?

    Architecture
    • 30+ remarkable
    • 20-29 distinguished
    • 11-19 average
    • < 11 below average
    Location
    • 27+ remarkable
    • 18-26 distinguished
    • 9-17 average
    • < 9 below average
    Features
    • 22+ remarkable
    • 16-21 distinguished
    • 9-15 average
    • < 9 below average

Broker & Buyer Comments

This "pre-war gem turned modern loft sanctuary" in "prime Chelsea" offers "sophisticated city living" with its "full-time doorman" and "impressive common roof deck." The building's location proves "absolutely perfect" with "countless hip restaurants" nearby and "easy access" to Union Square and the Meatpacking District. Multiple subway lines within blocks make this spot "incredibly convenient," while the ongoing lobby renovation promises to add even more polish to this "stylish conversion."

Sales Summary

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Sales History by Apartment Size

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