Emerald Green, 320 West 38th Street: Review and Ratings

Review of 320 West 38th Street by Carter Horsley

Emerald Green is a handsome, 569-unit residential rental building developed by Glenwood Management at 320 West 38^th Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues in the Garment Center.

The building, which has about 11,225 square feet of commercial space on 38^th Street, has 120 “affordable” apartments.

It was designed by Stephen B. Jacobs who was also the architect for the similar but smaller Crystal Green “sister” development with 199 apartments by Glenwood one block north at 330 West 39^th Street.

Emerald Green consists of twin, 24-story buildings on the through-block site.

The Saladino Group was the interior designer for the project, which was completed in 2009.

Bottom Line

Emerald Green is a handsome, midblock, full-service, residential condominium building in the Garment Center close to Times Square and the Theater District and convenient to public transportation.

Description

The building, which is also known as 327-345 West 37^th Street, has a very handsome two-story limestone base with a spacious lobby. The buff-colored masonry of the façade and its long street wall on 38^th Street makes the building standout from its neighboring buildings.

The building’s tower is setback and has large corner windows at its east and west ends as well as smaller bay windows on its east and west sides. 

In addition, the setback tower has a different window configuration than the base and it has two inset bays with confronting angled windows. 

The building is LEED silver certified.

Amenities

The development has a doorman, a fitness center, a garage with charging stations for electric vehicles, a library, a screening room, a children’s playroom, a resident’s lounge, a 50-foot swimming pool and whirlpool spa, a garden with fountain, roof decks, valet and maid service, and sidewalk landscaping.

Apartments

Apartments have bamboo floors and high-quality windows. 

Kitchens are equipped with energy efficient, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. 

Bathrooms have premium fixtures and some have marble baths and soaking tubs. 

Some two-bedroom units have washers and dryers. 

History

The through-block site was formerly a parking lot and a five-story building. 

The developer worked with the city for over a year to get a zoning variance for the project’s recessed entrances were designed to enhance the pedestrian experience on the block.

Location

The location for many years was quite bleak with garment center offices and “factories” and substantial traffic from the nearby Lincoln Tunnel and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Bus Terminal. 

In recent years, however, the area just to the north has enjoyed a major renaissance with a phalanx of new apartment towers and offices sprouting along West 42^nd Street. 

The area to the west and south has witnessed considerable new construction activity as part of the Hudson Yards redevelopment of the railroad tracks west of Penn Station and the creation of a new diagonal boulevard from 42^nd to 34^th streets along which an extension of the 7 subway line is being built. 

Meanwhile, south of 34^th Street the High Line Elevated Park has rejuvenated much of West Chelsea and the former flower market district on Sixth Avenue north of 24^th Street has been significantly redeveloped with many high-rise residential projects.