Developers and city officials recently joined to celebrate the completion of Raven Hall, a 22-story mixed-income rental building in Coney Island. The building is located at 2006 Surf Avenue and introduces a collection of 216 affordable apartments, a public parking garage, and 8,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space.
Located between the boardwalk and Surf Avenue, Raven Hall is the second phase of a seven-phase redevelopment of a vacant parcel that separates the eastern and western sides of Coney Island. As described in a statement from the city, the redevelopment is designed to improve the pedestrian connection between the two sides and increase foot traffic along the corridor. The site was formerly occupied by Ravenhall Baths, a public saltwater pool and bath house, which operated from 1867 until 1963, when it was destroyed by a fire.
Today, the 22-story building represents efforts by the city and New York State to renew and reinvigorate the surrounding neighborhood. The mix of apartments includes 193 units for households earning at or below 60 percent area median income (AMI) and 22 apartments for households earning up to 90 percent AMI. A total of 77 apartments are designated for families experiencing homelessness. There is also one apartment for a live-in superintendent.
“The state’s investment in Raven Hall will continue the revitalization of Coney Island as a vibrant and diverse beachfront community and an even better place to live,” said RuthAnne Visnauskas, Homes and Community Renewal commissioner. “With 216 apartments and retail space, residents will be able to live affordably and comfortably just steps from the historic boardwalk.”
Residents will have access to a large outdoor terrace, a fitness center, a children’s playroom, laundry facilities, personal storage, and on-site supportive services provided by New Destiny Housing for formerly homeless tenants. New Destiny Housing is also developer of the building with Georgica Green Ventures.
Total project costs for Raven Hall are estimated at $133 million. State financing for the development includes $19 million in permanent tax-exempt bonds, Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that generated $50.2 million in equity, and $16.2 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development provided $36.7 million from the Extremely Low and Low-Income Assistance program.
“My administration will continue to confront the housing crisis through high-quality affordable housing projects that will improve the lives of residents and create vibrant communities,” New York City governor Kathy Hochul said. “This $133 million mixed-use development in Coney Island will enhance quality of life for residents and the entire community, while building a stronger economic future for this unique, historic neighborhood.”
The first phase of the Ravenhall Bath Site redevelopment, known as Surf Vets Place at 2002 Surf Avenue, was completed in 2019 and features 135 apartments for families and homeless veterans. The project was also financed by Homes and Community Renewal and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
This year, the state is poised to reach the goal of its current housing plan of creating and preserving 100,000 affordable homes and 6,000 with support services. Governor Hochul has built on this effort with a proposal for a new $25 billion, five-year housing plan that will create and preserve an additional 100,000 affordable homes in urban and rural areas across New York including 10,000 with support services.
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It looks just like the rendering.
I’m sure it was a result of budget, but the PTACs really hurt this building. They are very distinct on the finished facade.
It is NOT on the former Ravenhall site. It’s on the former Washington Baths site which closed in 1968. Ravenhall was on the adjacent site where the Cyclones parking lot and skating rink are. I went to both beach clubs as a child in the 60’s.
Looks damn good, yet I wish the corner of the tower had a curve like the base.
The building is good but you easlity can catch a bullet while enjoying the sun on large outdoor terrace.
Coney Island is a thriving community in 2022. Its wonderful that we are helping all families strive for a better life in New York. However, besides providing affordable housing, are our leadership also providing mental health, proper training, education, and job opportunity to set them in the right direction? Otherwise, its only solving some of the problems families are going through now. Education and job training and baby sitting services in the building may really help everyone.