When virtually all businesses shut down early in the coronavirus pandemic, certain construction projects like affordable housing, hospitals, and infrastructure were deemed essential work and allowed to continue with health and safety protocols in place. “Nonessential” construction was allowed to resume starting in June 2020; nevertheless, in October 2020, the New York City Building Congress projected that overall construction spending in New York City would drop $4 billion from 2019 to 2020, and that construction employment would also take a hit.
More recently, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that New York City would resume $17 billion in construction projects that include building and renovating city properties like schools, housing, and parks. The resumption of capital construction is an important step, but it will still take some time before the public and private construction sectors reach pre-pandemic levels. In the meantime, the city’s developers and designers remain hard at work. Below, see a selection of recently revealed projects and renderings.
More recently, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that New York City would resume $17 billion in construction projects that include building and renovating city properties like schools, housing, and parks. The resumption of capital construction is an important step, but it will still take some time before the public and private construction sectors reach pre-pandemic levels. In the meantime, the city’s developers and designers remain hard at work. Below, see a selection of recently revealed projects and renderings.
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Rendering via Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel Architects
When AvalonBay’s newest Jersey City tower is completed, its 70-story, 722-foot height will make it the fifth-tallest building in both the city and the state. Renderings by Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel show a high-rise building with a shorter section and a glass facade. According to Jersey Digs, the 950 units will comprise 505 studios, 265 one-bedrooms, 160 two-bedrooms, and 20 three-bedrooms. Amenities will include a 59th-floor outdoor pool and terrace, a second-story terrace, additional roof terraces, a fitness center, and a parking garage.
In addition to the new buildings, the project will bring four retail storefronts, a new service road between the buildings, and new public outdoor space. These features will be known as the East Coast Greenway Plaza and Overlook Plaza, and include a dog run, children’s play area, and pedestrian terrace with Manhattan skyline views. A timeline for construction and completion is not yet available.
In addition to the new buildings, the project will bring four retail storefronts, a new service road between the buildings, and new public outdoor space. These features will be known as the East Coast Greenway Plaza and Overlook Plaza, and include a dog run, children’s play area, and pedestrian terrace with Manhattan skyline views. A timeline for construction and completion is not yet available.
Rendering via Howard Hughes Corporation/SOM
Less than two months after its proposal for a two-tower development at 250 Water Street was rejected by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Howard Hughes Corporation is getting ready to return. New York Tristate Region President Saul Scherl said, “We heard their feedback” as the developer unveiled a squished-down design for the building that comes in 27 percent smaller than January’s plan. The project will include “deeply affordable” apartments and a long-term commitment by Howard Hughes Corporation to keep the South Street Seaport Museum afloat.
The New York Post describes this moment as “make-or-break time” for the project, and this is not tabloid hyperbole. If Landmarks does not approve this building, Howard Hughes Corporation will develop the site “as-of-right” with no affordable units. If this happens, it will generate insufficient revenue to aid the struggling South Street Seaport Museum at what Museum President Jonathan Boulware calls “an existential moment.”
The New York Post describes this moment as “make-or-break time” for the project, and this is not tabloid hyperbole. If Landmarks does not approve this building, Howard Hughes Corporation will develop the site “as-of-right” with no affordable units. If this happens, it will generate insufficient revenue to aid the struggling South Street Seaport Museum at what Museum President Jonathan Boulware calls “an existential moment.”
All renderings of 66 Clinton Street via Vault Development Partners
Less than two years after non-profit New Life of New York City relocated to Alphabet City, construction is underway on a new eight-story condominium on its former site at 66 Clinton Street. Permits call for 12 units - no more than two per floor - a fitness center, a lounge, six bike parking spaces, and a shared roof deck. C3D Architecture is the designer of record, and renderings show a graceful brick building.
An offering plan has not yet been filed, but developer Vault Development Partners estimates at $34 million sellout. It is down the street from 50 Clinton Street, the condo that rose on the former site of acclaimed restaurant WD-50 and reports an average closing price of $1,732 per square foot. Completion is estimated for the second quarter of 2022.
An offering plan has not yet been filed, but developer Vault Development Partners estimates at $34 million sellout. It is down the street from 50 Clinton Street, the condo that rose on the former site of acclaimed restaurant WD-50 and reports an average closing price of $1,732 per square foot. Completion is estimated for the second quarter of 2022.
Listing in The Benson regularly rank among the city’s top luxury contracts, but the building’s developer Naftali Group is not resting on its laurels. Rather, it is hard at work on another luxury Upper East Side condominium, this one a 13-story, Classically-inspired building at 1165 Madison Avenue (also known as 48 East 86th Street). Three of the 12 planned apartments will be duplexes, and amenities will include a screening room, squash court, gym, children’s playroom, bike room, and storage. Demolition permits for the vacant buildings on-site have already been filed.
All renderings of 89 Schenectady Avenue via Yossi G Design
On the border of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights, work is underway on a new boutique condominium at 89 Schenectady Avenue. Permits call for seven units, with no more than two per floor, and amenities will include a laundry room, storage room, and roof terrace. According to newly revealed renderings by Brooklyn-based designer YossiG Design, the project will be highly nature-oriented: The building’s facade and balconies are bedecked with greenery, and the lobby shows a green wall.
Rendering of 74 Diamond Street via CRE8 Development
Greenpoint’s building boomlet shows no sign of slowing down, and another entrant may be found at 74 Diamond Street, where a new boutique condominium is in the works. Renderings by developer/designer CRE8 Development show a classically-inspired brick building with modern touches and oversized units, promising incredible natural light. Additional amenities will include storage units, a shared roof deck, and private yards for select units. An offering plan has not yet been filed, but CityRealty data shows that the median price of a Greenpoint condo is $1.1 million.
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Rendering of 11-16 Main Avenue via AKI Development
In the Hallets Point section of Long Island City, construction is underway on a new condominium at 11-16 Main Avenue. Permits call for 30 units and such amenities as a fitness studio, storage, a roof deck, and parking for 15 vehicles. A sellout price was not included in an offering plan submitted in December 2020, but CityRealty listings show that the median price of a Long Island City condo is $1.15 million.
Rendering via 43HUNDRED
Between structural damage from a fire and missing steps, the prewar brownstone at 953 Saint Nicholas Avenue was in less than livable condition. But following the addition of one floor and a penthouse, the resulting duplex and triplex apartments within are aiming for decidedly north of “livable”: The design features gracious flow between the living and dining areas, corner windows, radiant floor heating, and new interior stairs with wooden steps and metal railing. This was all added with respect for the historic architecture that surrounds the building.
57 Flatbush Avenue Extension, Downtown Brooklyn
Rendering via Gerald J. Caliendo Architects
Downtown Brooklyn has seen an incredible amount of new development in recent years, and the building boom shows no sign of slowing down: Gerald J. Caliendo Architects has revealed renderings of a new tower at 57 Flatbush Avenue Extension, across the street from New York City College of Technology and down the street from Trinity Park. A previously submitted design by the architect called for a hotel, but this project is labeled “luxury apartment development.”
41-47 West 21st Street, Flatiron District
Rendering via Mequity Companies
One thing New Yorkers will never have enough of is storage space. To that end, self-storage developer Mequity Companies is planning an eight-story facility at 41-47 East 21st Street, which is currently a parking lot. The finished product will feature state-of-the-art security, online and touchless access control, two truck-size loading bays, a smaller backup loading area, new elevators, and new infrastructure. Owing to its address in the Ladies Mile Historic District, Landmarks approval will be required for this project.
Neptune Tower, Astoria
Rendering of Neptune Tower via Gerald J. Caliendo Architects
When 31-05 Astoria Boulevard and two adjacent lots went up for sale, locals panicked: The site is home to Neptune Diner, a beloved fixture in Astoria’s Greek diner scene. However, the restaurant is not closing, but moving to a new branch in Bayside. Renderings by Queens-based designer Gerald J. Caliendo Architects show a mixed-use tower with a glassy retail facade, a brick residential component, and what looks like a penthouse component with floor-to-ceiling windows. Permits have not yet been filed for the new building or demolition of the old one.
Demolition permits have recently been filed for the three-story, 170-year-old townhouse at 331 West 18th Street. Details on its replacement are not yet available, but we can already say with certainty that it will be hard to live up to its predecessor’s rich history. According to Daytonian in Manhattan, the house had several upper-class owners during the Gilded Age; following World War I, it served as an office for the Margaret and Sarah Switzer Foundation for Girls. Starting in the 1950’s, though, it was home to more unexpected tenants when it was run as the Animal Talent Scout Shelter; a 1970 article in The New York Times noted, “The menagerie from time to time has had lions, llamas, kangaroos and timber wolves, along with a score or more of dogs, cats and deer.”
64 University Place via Avison Young
Demolition permits have been filed for 64 University Place, a four-story mixed-use building between East 10th and 11th Streets near New York University. A sales brochure from Avison Young touts the site’s proximity to Washington Square Park and Union Square and suggests that the site would be ideal for a mixed-use condominium. The building's retail tenant, gourmet grocer Agata & Valentina, faced a dramatic rent increase at the end of 2019 and announced plans to close in February 2021.
While located just outside the Greenwich Village Historic District, locals are nevertheless fiercely protective of the neighborhood. As of this writing, the Landmarks Preservation Commission is hearing a proposal to demolish a five-story building and erect a 19-story condominium down the street from the site at 16 Fifth Avenue.
While located just outside the Greenwich Village Historic District, locals are nevertheless fiercely protective of the neighborhood. As of this writing, the Landmarks Preservation Commission is hearing a proposal to demolish a five-story building and erect a 19-story condominium down the street from the site at 16 Fifth Avenue.
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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Or call us at (212) 755-5544
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