NYC Seeks to Convert Government Building Into 1K+ Units

The Eric Adams administration is seeking developers to transform a Brutalist-style city-owned office building in Lower Manhattan into a residential complex with over 1K apartments, according to The Real Deal.

The city’s Economic Development Corporation will release a request for proposal on Wednesday for the redevelopment of 100 Gold Street, a 9-story office building that has long housed various city agencies and a senior center.

Transforming Gold Street

Constructed in the mid-1960s, 100 Gold Street is anchored by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) but also accommodates offices for the Department of Education, the Mayor’s Office, and other city agencies.

The building currently offers nearly 530K SF of office space, with the senior center occupying part of the property.

The city plans to sell the building to a developer, with proceeds going toward relocating the agencies and building new office spaces. As specified in the RFP, these agencies and the senior center will remain in the building until new spaces are found.

City officials have ruled out converting the building into residential units due to its poor condition and the extensive upgrades needed, including replacing windows, electrical work, and energy retrofits.

The city estimates the cost of necessary updates to be about $180M, with $50M already allocated to address elevator and sprinkler repairs and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Vision For Affordable Housing

Mayor Eric Adams unveiled the plans for 100 Gold Street in his State of the City address in January, positioning it as a part of his broader “Manhattan Plan.” This initiative aims to bring 100K new homes to Manhattan over the next decade.

The 100 Gold Street redevelopment project, originally proposed to create more than 2K homes, now seeks 1K units, with the exact number to be finalized through the city’s land use review process.

The project will include a mix of market-rate and affordable housing, with the RFP stipulating that at least 25% of the units must be income-restricted. The bidding process and the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) will help determine the number of affordable units and the rents.

Community Concerns, Union Support

Although the project has garnered early support from labor unions, particularly from Gary LaBarbera of the Building and Construction Trades Council, some neighboring residents voiced concerns. These residents worry about the impact of construction, including potential disruptions from demolition and the loss of natural light due to the shadow cast by the new building.

The project is also expected to receive property tax incentives under the 485x program, which would require the future developer to pay higher construction wages. 

LaBarbera emphasized the development could create family-sustaining union jobs, benefit tradesmen and tradeswomen, and provide much-needed affordable homes.

Challenges And Opportunities

The timing of the RFP release coincides with growing scrutiny of city office leases, particularly those overseen by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). Investigations are underway regarding a proposed lease at 14 Wall Street and other DCAS-related actions.

Additionally, the Trump administration has recently revived efforts to promote classical architecture over Brutalist designs for government buildings, adding another layer of context to the discussion around 100 Gold Street’s redevelopment.

Despite these challenges, the development of 100 Gold Street offers a significant opportunity to create much-needed housing in a prime Lower Manhattan location. It’s expected to be a critical part of the city’s long-term plan to address housing shortages and revitalize urban spaces.