New York City’s affordable housing policy has created attractive low-cost housing, but the price of success has been high.
In November, an affordable-housing development designed by renowned British architect David Adjaye opened in Manhattan's Sugar Hill neighborhood. The building's unique, cantilevered design, along with its ground-floor school and children's museum was hailed for its beautiful, unique design.
The problem: The nonprofit that built the Sugar Hill Development has asked the City Council to cover $4 million in construction cost overruns on the now $70 million residential portion of the building, bringing the per-unit price to more than $550,000, according to Crain’s New York Business.
The 124-unit structure is one of several financed under the Bloomberg administration that have gone well beyond the average cost for affordable housing in the city, which industry experts say has rarely exceeded $400,000 per unit, Crain’s says.
Though recent affordable housing projects, which have included neighborhood amenities, have been well received, the cost of these projects has reportedly become an increasingly contentious issue.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Aug 29, 2018
Brighton Marine is the largest veterans’ development constructed in Boston since World War II
The Architectural Team designed the project.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 27, 2018
5 noteworthy multifamily projects: summer 2018 edition
The 5 buildings highlight MFDC's summer issue noteworthy projects section.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 20, 2018
$53 million Chamberlain apartments will comprise six buildings, three new and three renovated
The project’s groundbreaking was held on July 19.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 17, 2018
Sound advice on multifamily construction
Four leading experts tell how to ensure your next multifamily project achieves acoustic privacy.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 15, 2018
Memphis construction: Can this city become the next Austin?
One local design firm is trying to make it happen.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 8, 2018
Flyin' high: Humphreys & Partners Architects keeps soaring to new heights
HPA, which reported $78.2 million in multifamily design fees in 2017, ranks as the nation’s largest multifamily design firm.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 7, 2018
Even after redevelopment, the iconic 'Chicago Tribune' sign will remain at 435 N. Michigan Ave.
The newspaper and the building's new owners reached a settlement.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 2, 2018
The recipe for bicycle kitchens
Bike storage and workshop spaces are rapidly turning into full-service social amenity spaces in multifamily projects.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 2, 2018
Bicycle kitchens give cyclists their very own amenity space
Bike storage and workshop spaces are rapidly turning into full-service social amenity spaces in multifamily projects.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 31, 2018
Put air rights to better use
If your school district is building a new school, build housing in the air space above it and put lower-paid public employees at the front of the line to live there.