Design guidelines for retail space in NYC affordable housing projects released

The Design Trust for Public Space and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) released the document “Laying the Groundwork: Design Guidelines for Retail & Other Ground-Floor Uses in Affordable Housing Developments.”

The document is “a robust set of guidelines for designing efficient, flexible ground-floor space for retail and other community services in affordable housing developments,” according to a press release. “The guidelines offer feasible ways to improve economic vitality and streetscape in underserved neighborhoods.”

The document provides practical recommendations for building ground-floor space that is functional for retailers, community, and cultural organizations; accessible and convenient for residents and neighbors; and cost-effective for developers. Recommendations are included for:

Facade and signage
Exterior access and streetscape
Interior architecture:
Mechanical (heating, cooling, and ventilation), electrical, plumbing; and fire protection systems:

For further information, visit here.

Across the country, multifamily rents have skyrocketed. Year-over-year rents are up by double digits in nine of the top 30 markets, while national YoY rent growth is up 6.3%. Emerging from the pandemic, a perfect storm of migration, enhanced government stimulus and a hot housing market, among other factors, has enabled this extremely strong growth.