BY SCOTT STIFFLER | Chelsea is one crucial step closer to having a new neighbor for nearly a century to come, if not more. That defining development was announced in an August 11, 2025 press release from Tennessee-based Vanderbilt University, all-but-certain lessee of the Close (W. 20th to 21st Sts., 9th to 10th Aves.).

The New York State Attorney General’s action sets the stage for Vanderbilt’s establishment of a NYC campus operating in West Chelsea. Approval at the state level has been highly anticipated since last year, when Vanderbilt signed a 99-year lease for the Close (aka a 13-building, 2.7 acres property owned by the cash-strapped General Theological Seminary).

“The New York State attorney general has granted the approval necessary to close on the lease of its new campus in New York City,” read Vanderbilt’s August 11 release, calling the approval “an important milestone in the agreement between Vanderbilt and the General Theological Seminary that enables Vanderbilt to operate on the historic block in the heart of the Chelsea neighborhood.”

Tellingly, that “important” regulatory milestone is not the last necessary approval. Still to come is word from the New York Board of Regents (via the New York State Education Department), who’ll weigh in on Vanderbilt’s proposed academic programming for its Chelsea campus. Submitted by the Office of the Provost, their proposal, notes Vanderbilt, “includes an undergraduate study away program, which could be for one semester or part of a summer session, and a one-year master’s program.”

The first such semester could begin by this time next year, as noted in a recent Chelsea Community News (CCNews) Q&A with James Kellerhouse, Vanderbilt’s assistant vice chancellor for strategic initiatives in New York City. “Our hope is that we go ‘live’ fall of 2026 with our Undergraduate Study Away program,” said Kellerhouse, speculating an initial influx of some 100 third and fourth year students who “would spend a semester in New York and have a sort of a place-based learning internship–a reason they have to be here in New York City.” Ultimately, added Kellerhouse, “the benefit is they get great work experience. They fall in love with New York and they graduate and they come back to live and work in New York City.”

For now, though, “The attorney general’s approval puts us a significant step closer to making them a reality,” said Chancellor Daniel Diermeier of Vanderbilt’s desire to “create new opportunities for our students, faculty and alumni in one of the most dynamic cities in the world. It will also enable us to foster deeper collaboration with the city’s unparalleled industries and cultural institutions.”

Susan Palmer Marshall, President, Council of Chelsea Block Associations, called the attorney general’s approval “a tremendous moment for Chelsea,” noting Vanderbilt’s “commitment to restoring and revitalizing the campus–originally gifted by Clement Clarke Moore–ensures that this treasured space will thrive for generations to come. We look forward to partnering with them to bring fresh ideas, meaningful conversations, and vibrant energy to the heart of Chelsea.”

Palmer Marshall and other area stakeholders need not wait long for “meaningful conversations.” Spring 2025’s public programming series Vanderbilt in the City: Conversations on America  will return soon with a fresh slate of faculty and guest discussions “about what it means to be an American at this moment in history.” Details are expected to be announced later this month.

Responding to CCNews’ request for comment on the morning of August 11, Kellerhouse stated, “Vanderbilt is thrilled to assume control of campus operations in the weeks ahead and move forward with planning for more community enrichment opportunities as well as necessary repairs and updates to this historic campus.”

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