217-219 West 21st Street is a 3-story warehouse built in 1922 using post and beam construction, poured concrete foundation, brick walls, and large steel frame windows. The structural lumber, still intact, is old-growth Southern yellow pine. With 6-8 courses of brick and joists only 6 inches apart, it was built to withstand heavy floor loads.
The property is owned by the family of the founder of the Star Cinema Supply Company, a global supplier of cinema equipment that occupied the building in the 70s and 80s.
Starting in the early 90s, the commercial lofts were leased to artists and creative businesses including painters, photographers, art dealers, animation studios, and tech companies.