TROPOLISM

Continuing Tropolism's theme of Towers in West Chelsea With Interesting Skin Systems, the Chelsea Arts Tower is finally getting its non-glass cladding: a gorgeous black panel system, with what appears to be a variation of gloss finishes, creating a subtle texture to the side of the building. While we were holding out for a brutalist all-concrete finish, we're happy to see something just as severe: Black Monolith. More pictures to come as work progresses.

Closeup pictures after the jump.

UPDATE: The New York Times reports that the skin is plastic, is "metallic looking", and made by Trespa. Which product? Anyone who knows, just email us. West Chelsea: land of new cladding systems.