First NYC Development to Benefit from New Above 12 FAR Residential Rezoning
Hudson Boulevard Collective, a partnership of BRP Companies, BXP (formerly known as Boston Properties, the Moinian Group, and Urbane Development, with minority-owned businesses representing 31% of the development team, has been selected by New York State’ Empire State Development (ESD) to construct the first development in New York City to take advantage of increased allowable residential Floor Area Ratio (FAR) above 12.0. Prior to the rezoning that was included in the FY 25 state budget, residential FAR was capped at 12.0, a 1960s zoning created when the city was worried about too much housing — described by Mark Levine, the Manhattan Borough President as a zoning relic that has become a “major obstacle to building more affordable housing.” The announcement comes about three years following decisions by state officials to rescind a request for proposals for the 1.2-acre site due to the change in the economic environment as the pandemic continued, envisioning at the time a 1,663-foot-tall 2 million-square-foot tower to be dubbed “Affirmation Tower.” The $1.35 billion development dubbed HDSN, pronounced “Hudson,” would create 1,349 residential units, of which 404-units, or 30%, will be designated as permanently affordable housing. Construction of the mixed-use project targeting LEED Gold certification will rise at 418 Eleventh Avenue, also known as “Site K” on the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center — one of the last remaining state-owned parcels in Manhattan. Phased to prioritize the residential component, the 72-story East Tower will include a mix of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedrooms units; while the 28-story, West Tower will feature a 455-key full-service hotel.
A 5-story podium will connect the two buildings and be permanently anchored by a 24,000-square-foot Climate Museum — North America’s leading museum dedicated to climate change and solutions. The museum is planning to pursue Living Building Challenge Certification and net-zero carbon operations, and in partnership with the New York State Energy Research & Development authority (NYSERDA), will feature ClimateTech programing to support entrepreneurs developing innovative climate solutions through manufacturing planning resources, mentorship programs, and workshop spaces. A 4,000-square-foot restaurant operated by Emma’s Torch will include a training facility providing paid culinary training and job placement services to refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through its intensive 10-week apprenticeship program; and a 60,300-square-foot Life Time Fitness facility will provide comprehensive health and wellness programming across four floors, including an outdoor swimming pool and roof terrace, serving both residents and the broader community.