249 Varet Street

Four-Story, 54-Key Hostel Being Converted Into 140-Person Homeless Shelter at 249 Varet Street, East Williamsburg

11:00 am on August 8, 2016 By Reid Wilson

After opening just eight years ago, the four-story, 54-key New York Loft Hostel, located at 249 Varet Street in East Williamsburg, is currently in the process of being converted into a 140-person homeless shelter, Bushwick Daily reported. Until recently, the 22,237-square-foot property had 54 hotel rooms, but has since undergone a reconfiguration to 67 units, according to permits with the Buildings Department. The shelter’s occupants will be restricted to males ages 55 and older who aren’t sex offenders. They are expected to live in the shelter for roughly nine months and will have access to supportive services and meals, all located within the building. The project is being headed by the city’s non-profit organization Project Renewal and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). The shelter will likely become operational this fall after the hostel closes for business at the end of August. Bosch Architecture is designing the conversion. The Morgan Avenue stop on the L train is three blocks away.

Marine Terrace

Developer Plans Two-Building, 53-Unit Affordable Housing Expansion of Marine Terrace Complex, Astoria

10:00 am on August 8, 2016 By Reid Wilson

Related Companies is planning to build two new residential buildings, with a combined total of 53 units, along 20th Avenue on the northern edge of the Marine Terrace affordable residential complex, in the Ditmars section of northern Astoria. Marine Terrace is a 444-unit development comprised of seven three-story buildings, DNAinfo reported, which Related acquired for $121 million in June. It’s bound by 21st Street, Shore Boulevard, and 20th and 21st avenues. The 53 new residential units will spread across three- and four-story buildings. All of the units will be rented at below-market rates to veterans, although 20 percent will be specifically geared towards homeless veterans. The new buildings will replace two existing single-story parking garages. In addition, Related will renovate the rest of the 444-unit Marine Terrace complex. It will get an additional 5,400 square feet of community space, and amenities including a fitness center, a computer lab, a lounge, laundry facilities, and a nurse’s office. All but three apartments in Marine Terrace, which range from one- to three-bedrooms, receive Section 8 assistance. Grounbreaking for the new construction components is expected in 2017.

3 West 128th Street, rendering by Beam Group

Revealed: 3 West 128th Street, Harlem

8:00 am on August 8, 2016 By Rebecca Baird-Remba

Harlem is no longer known for abandoned buildings and neglected blocks. Small developments are filling in the vacant lots that once pockmarked the neighborhood, and today we have a look at one coming to 3 West 128th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Malcolm X Boulevard.

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