News
The 99-Unit Loophole: How 485-x Is Reshaping What Gets Built
When 421-a expired in 2022, the effect was immediate and predictable. Development slowed, projects stalled, and many in the industry stepped back entirely. The program had its flaws, but it did something essential: it made rental housing financially viable in New York City.
Its replacement, 485-x, is the new tax abatement program passed at the state level, designed to reinvigorate the development of affordable housing by private sector developers. It does that by offering multi-year property tax relief in exchange for the developer’s commitment to hitting specific affordability targets.
The law aims to fix the flaws of 421-a, bringing more affordability. stronger tenant protections, and better wages for construction workers. On paper, it is a more equitable program.
In practice, it is producing something more complicated.
Bronx AIA/CCNY Design Studio is Honored By Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson
The largest of its kind in the country and a treasured New York City landmark, the majestic Kingsbridge Armory has been unoccupied for over 25 years. A new proposal to use it as a center for vertical farming, conceived and advocated for by…
City of Yes - Letter to City Council
Mayor Adams is rolling out the City Of Yes for Economic Opportunity, a package of initiatives that aspire to address our housing crisis and at the same time creatively refit the city for a post-COVID world where over 20% of our offices stand vacant…
Martinique Hotel Gets a New Masterplan Design
Martinique Hotel We are very excited to announce that partner John Field’s masterplan design for the Martinique Hotel was approved at the Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing of May 2, 2023. Located at the corner…
Starrett-Lehigh Building
Starrett-Lehigh Building is a force of nature, a true landmark in every sense of the word. We have already begun contributing to the future of this icon, and are pleased to be involved with some of the work discussed in this recent article from the NY Times…
New Lobby Project
This former commercial bakery, a through-lot midblock building, was completely changed when it was converted into back-to-back apartment buildings in the 1970s. The lobbies, tied together across a narrow glazed bridge, are at different levels …
Reservoir Media’s IPO
Building Studio Architects is pleased to congratulate our friends at Reservoir Media on their recent IPO and new talent acquisitions! We worked with them on their relocated New York Office in 2019 and are …
Whittle HQ in partnership with RPBW Architects
Whittle Schools & Studios is the renowned international private school system serving children from ages 3-18 years old. In designing their new corporate headquarters, we partnered with Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Whittle’s new offices are …
Brick Industry Gold Award 2019 - Soho Apartment Building
We are so honored to announce that Building Studio Architects received a Gold Award in the 2019 Brick Industry Awards in Architecture for our work on our 54 Macdougal Street apartment building. This new SoHo …
Safra’s Synagogue Tops Out
As we all stay safe in our homes, we wanted to share with you recent photos from the Safra Synagogue project that is under construction in Brooklyn. While the work is suspended for now, we …
New Fitness Center Opens at StuyTown
Fitness 14 is our most recent project at Stuytown. This 8,000 square foot ground floor commercial space on East 14th Street was converted into a modern gym for exclusive use by the residents. Working closely …
Building Studio Architects wins a 2018 AIA Award
Building Studio Architects wins a 2018 AIA Award We are very proud to announce that our design for the Department of Transportation Williamsburg Bridge Paint Storage Building project was recognized as a Merit Award winner in …
First public project for NYC!
We are very pleased to have recently completed our first public project for New York City. Under the Brooklyn embankment of the Williamsburg Bridge, the Department of Transportation’s [DoT] Bridge Painting Division has long kept …