While walking in Chelsea, viewing the countless galleries (see westchelseaarts.com), we happened upon November’s New Yorker of the Month…
Ask a New Yorker: Hello there, what’s your name?
Matt : It’s Matt.
Ask a New Yorker: What do you do for a living, Matt?
Matt : I’m a creative director at Ogilvy and Mather. I work in interactives. I do websites and web advertising.
Ask a New Yorker: And your friend here, what’s this guy’s name?
Matt : This is Ezra Pound, who is a pit bull.
Ask a New Yorker: Very nice. Where do you live, Matt?
Matt : My partner Brian and I live here in West Chelsea. We’ve lived here for awhile.
Ask a New Yorker: And what campaigns do you work on for Ogilvy?
Matt : I work on Cisco Systems and Ameritrade.
Ask a New Yorker: Has this neighborhood changed much since you’ve been here?
Matt : West Chelsea was originally owned/run mostly by Clemmon Clarke Moore (related to the Benjamin Moore paint family). This was considered the painting district. West Chelsea was once a park with beautiful town homes around it. Then the Moore family sold the land and built a seminary. This is why you see Chelsea Square North, South, East and West. The Chelsea historical district is a landmark district that is mostly 22nd Street, a little of 20th Street and a bit of 21st Street. Our building is within this area. It’s a Georgian townhome, architecture which is pretty unique in New York.
Ask a New Yorker: Owner or Renter?
Matt : Owner. I live in a four unit co-op.
Ask a New Yorker: There seem to be a lot of single family town houses here, is that true?
Matt: Many are still single family homes and a few are apartments.
Ask a New Yorker: How long have you been with your partner Brian?
Matt: Five years.
Ask a New Yorker: Congratulations.
Matt: Thanks.
Ask a New Yorker: Any restaurants in the area you would recommend?
Matt: The Red Cat (227 Tenth Ave.) has a terrific menu and great service. They are owned by the Harrison, which is down in Tribeca. The Harrison actually opened up right after 9/11, one of the first to open after 9/11, a wonderful success story. The Red Cat is on 10th Ave at 24th St, and has great modern cuisine.
Ask a New Yorker: What should I ask you next?
Matt: Why do I live in Chelsea?
Ask a New Yorker: That works. Why do you live in Chelsea?
Matt: Chelsea is a fantastic neighborhood in Manhattan which still has townhomes. The others are up in Harlem or the West Village. But, it is changing fast and we are all terrified that the stadium might come. Parking on weekends is one of the gems here and that will be gone if there is a stadium.
Ask a New Yorker: We don’t need it for the Olympics possibly?
Matt: We don’t need the Olympics. There are plenty of cities who can benefit from having the Olympics. New York does not need the Olympics. Just another New York ego thing. We have plenty of wonderful things going for us. Let another city, a second-tier city, have the Olympics. Let a city that needs growth have it.
Ask a New Yorker: Do you ever ride the subways?
Matt: Every day. And the bus. Love the bus.
Ask a New Yorker: Well, thank you for your time. It was nice meeting you, Ezra, and Brian.
