NYCHA Closes on Transfer of Manhattanville Development Rights to Adjacent Site  

On October 14, NYCHA finalized an agreement to transfer 280,000 square feet of development rights (“air rights”) and 12,500 square feet of land from Manhattanville Houses to an adjacent private property at 1440 Amsterdam Avenue. 

The transaction generates $28 million in funding, which will be used exclusively at Manhattanville Houses for comprehensive building repairs and upgrades to be implemented through NYCHA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program. Thanks to the transaction and PACT program, Manhattanville Houses will receive comprehensive apartment renovations and building infrastructure improvements, along with enhanced social services and community programs for residents.   

NYCHA’s Real Estate Development Department has been hosting resident meetings since July 2021 to share plans and understand resident needs and priorities at the Manhattanville development. NYCHA will continue working with community members and resident leaders to shape plans for the PACT rehabilitation, on-site social services, improved property management, and comprehensive security upgrades.  

Views of the proposed new building at 1440 Amsterdam Avenue from the north (left) and east (right). Designs are for illustrative purposes. Design, materials, and finishes may be further refined before construction.

In addition to the rehabilitation work at Manhattanville Houses, the new building at 1440 Amsterdam Avenue will include approximately 120 rent-restricted apartments, with current NYCHA residents receiving priority for 25 percent of the apartments. Among the other features are a new ground-floor supermarket and retail space, a dedicated community space for Manhattanville residents, and an indoor parking garage with 28 spaces reserved for NYCHA residents. The new Associated Supermarket will restore a local supermarket that was shuttered after a fire in November 2013. Job training and employment opportunities will also be available for Manhattanville residents at the new development.  

Construction of the new building is expected to begin in the coming months, with an opening slated for summer 2026. Rehabilitation of Manhattanville Houses will begin in 2024.

Featured rendering caption: South view of the proposed new building at 1440 Amsterdam Avenue. Design is for illustrative purposes. Design, materials, and finishes may be further refined before construction.