April 24, 2025

Parking lot on Third Avenue between Bergen and Wyckoff Streets will be transformed into 100% affordable, permanently rent stabilized senior housing

NEW YORK – Boerum Hill residents will see a burst of energy in their community as a city-owned parking lot is transformed into a brand new, permanently rent stabilized senior housing development. The lot on Third Avenue between Bergen and Wyckoff Streets will be converted into approximately 68 units of newly affordable senior housing, incorporated into a mixed-use building featuring residential housing with community-scaled commercial and community facility spaces.

Today, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) announced a major step forward and named the development team who will be tasked with leading this project. Following extensive community engagement and a months-long competitive review process, the city selected Cornerstone Construction Group, St. Nicks Alliance, and Stanton Street Development Partners as the development team for their thoughtful and responsive proposal Third Act Apartments. David Cunningham Architecture Planning PLLC will lead the architectural design process for the project.

“This administration is committed to transforming underutilized city-owned land into safe, secure affordable housing,“ said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrion Jr. “The Third Act Apartments will provide 68 older adults the ability to age in place comfortably and affordably with high-end amenities and services. Congratulations to Cornerstone Construction Group, St. Nicks Alliance, and Stanton Street Development for collaborating to create what will become a beacon of dignity and sustainability in the Boerum Hill community.”

“I am thrilled to see the Boerum Hill neighborhood welcome a new housing project in their community,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “This building will provide 68 older adults affordable housing with best-in-class amenities, such as innovative outdoor spaces, a rooftop urban farm, and a pharmacy that will provide access to medical and health care services for all residents of Boerum Hill. Congratulations to Cornerstone Construction Group, St. Nicks Alliance, and Stanton Street Development for spearheading such a comprehensive project.”

“As rising costs and a historically low vacancy rate push seniors even further towards housing insecurity, leveraging city land for housing isn’t just practical—it’s a moral imperative. This project is about more than a physical structure; it’s about ensuring older New Yorkers can age with dignity in the city they helped build,” said HPD Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “As we move to the next phase to convert parking spaces into 68 deeply affordable apartments for older New Yorkers, HPD remains committed to fostering strong partnerships to meet the demand. We’ve chosen a team committed to creating housing that aligns with the community's needs and aspirations.”

“Transforming the parking lot on Third Avenue between Bergen and Wyckoff Streets into 100% deeply affordable, permanently rent-stabilized senior housing is exactly the kind of bold, community-driven solution we need to tackle our city’s affordability crisis, address low vacancy rates, and support the needs of our growing senior population,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “I’m proud that my Council District ranks among the top ten in housing production citywide, and I look forward to working with HPD and the Third Act Apartments development team to ensure this project truly serves our community.”

The Third Act Apartments Development Team:

The team chosen by HPD to make Third Act Apartmentsa reality is composed of:

• Cornerstone Construction: led by Michael Rooney Jr., Cornerstone has built over 4,000 units of affordable housing over the past eight years. Cornerstone projects have garnered numerous awards, including the ULI NY Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing Development, the PHIUS Passive Projects Design Award, the AIA New York State Excelsior Award, and Community Impact Awards.
• St. Nicks Alliance: a non-profit developer and service provider operating in Brooklyn since 1975. St. Nicks will manage the future development and oversee the delivery of social services for tenants. St. Nicks has developed over 3,200 units of affordable housing, manages 110 residential properties, and provides a delivers a range of services, from workforce development programs to elder care support.
• Stanton Street Development Partners: with over 40 years of combined experience, Stanton Street is a key partner in the project’s financing. Stanton Street has successfully worked on financing of dozens of affordable housing and community development projects.  
• David Cunningham Architecture Planning PLLC : the project architect. The practice was founded over fifteen years ago and is based locally in the Gowanus neighborhood.

“Seniors are an invaluable community resource, and Third Act Apartments will exemplify the wisdom, energy, and time that they invest into uplifting future generations,” said Michael Rooney Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone Construction Group. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with HPD, St. Nicks Alliance, and Stanton Street Development Partners, creating an affordable, sustainable, and interconnected housing community where seniors have access to the vital social services that they need to thrive both socially and physically.”

“We are delighted to be part of the Third Act Apartments project creating critically needed housing for low-income elderly,” said Amy Berg, Deputy Executive Director for Social Services at St. Nicks Alliance. “Since 1980 we have provided high quality elder care services in Brooklyn and support the health, active engagement and housing needs of over 1,500 seniors annually. We are excited to help create a vibrant community asset in Boerum Hill.”

“Stanton Street Development Partners looks forward to working with our incredible team, and our agency and community partners to create a dynamic and resilient independent senior community that offers everyone the opportunity to thrive in a safe, creative and affordable environment with access to innovative services as they begin their Third Act,” said Aileen Gribbin of Stanton Street Development Partners. “We are honored to be part of this exciting initiative.”

Developed with – and for – the Community:

The plan for Third Act Apartments, which will replace the approximately 7,200-square-foot parking lot, was created with guidance from the Nevins and Third Community Visioning Report and the goals outlined in the Request for Proposals (RFP) , as well as with input from over 200 members of the community, local elected leaders, and community organizations. The community spoke loudly and clearly about their desire to create new housing for seniors and formerly homeless individuals, and HPD has been leading that effort across the City of New York.

The project will also have approximately 1,700 square feet of commercial retail space and 1,000 square feet of community facility space. Throughout the engagement process, community members also expressed a strong desire to see the parking lot transformed into a sustainable and resilient building with outdoor space that creates community in the neighborhood. As a result, the Third Act Apartments’ first floor will include a community room that will not only serve the residents of the building but also offer a venue for local organizations to host events and activities. There will be a variety of outdoor spaces spread across several floors for residents, including a rooftop farm that will provide them an opportunity to access fresh food.

Additionally, the project includes commercial space for a local pharmacy to boost access to important medical and health care needs in the neighborhood.

Top Notch Amenities for Our Community’s Seniors:

The building will also offer a variety of residential amenities including:

• A resident library,
• Game room,
• Fitness center,
• Bicycle storage room,
• Laundry services, and
• Ample outdoor space -- including space for an urban farm and a courtyard with access to a second-floor terrace and garden.

Project Street-level view from Wyckoff Street

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The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is the nation’s largest city housing agency, responsible for the creation and preservation of affordable housing as well as enforcing the housing and maintenance code across all five boroughs. From responding to over 600,000 housing complaints to financing nearly 15,000 new affordable homes and connecting more than 25,000 New Yorkers with affordable housing in 2024 alone, HPD’s work touches every corner of the city’s housing landscape.

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