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Services For The Underserved Renovating Four Tenement Buildings In Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan

Photograph of 351-357 West 45th Street. Credit: Kevin Zhao/HighpointPhotograph of 351-357 West 45th Street. Credit: Kevin Zhao/Highpoint

Services for the Underserved (S:US) is in the process of renovating four neglected tenement buildings at 351-357 West 45th Street in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan. The organization purchased the properties in June for $20 million following years of tenant protests and legal action due to dangerous living conditions, and is refurbishing them for affordable housing. The buildings are located between Eighth and Ninth Avenues.

Photograph of condition of 351-357 West 45th Street immediately after purchasing. Credit: Kevin Zhao/Highpoint

Photograph of condition of 351-357 West 45th Street immediately after purchasing. Credit: Kevin Zhao/Highpoint

During their previous landlord’s ownership, the buildings accrued hundreds of housing violations, with issues ranging from mold and loose bricks to infestations of rodents and pigeons. In total, the city filed 24 lawsuits against management, including six for failing to provide heat and hot water, and spent $46,000 on emergency repairs that were neglected. Of the 80 rent-stabilized units in the buildings, only ten remained occupied at the time of acquisition.

Photograph of condition of 351-357 West 45th Street immediately after purchasing. Credit: Kevin Zhao/Highpoint

Photograph of condition of 351-357 West 45th Street immediately after purchasing. Credit: Kevin Zhao/Highpoint

Since acquiring the buildings, S:US has made immediate improvements, including securing doors and windows, installing security cameras, and addressing urgent repairs for the remaining tenants. Plans for the $52 million renovation include replacing roofs and structural beams, upgrading heating systems to electric, and installing modern ventilation. The timeline for completion is set for the summer of 2026, with construction funding expected to close early this year. During renovations, S:US has offered relocation assistance to current tenants.

Photograph of condition of 351-357 West 45th Street immediately after purchasing. Credit: Kevin Zhao/Highpoint

Photograph of condition of 351-357 West 45th Street immediately after purchasing. Credit: Kevin Zhao/Highpoint

The 70 unoccupied units will be dedicated to housing homeless families through the CityFHEPS rental assistance program, ensuring rents remain affordable for the long term. The buildings will also feature on-site wellness and employment resources for residents, including an exercise room and offices. This effort is supported by a ten-year CityFHEPS contract and a 40-year regulatory agreement with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

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8 Comments on "Services For The Underserved Renovating Four Tenement Buildings In Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan"

  1. All this money being spent to end up with a 5-story walk-up two blocks away from Times Square…

  2. Looks like where my old band used to practice.

  3. How is Hell’s Kitchen able to resist “gentrification” so successfully?

    • Matt, many years ago Hell’s Kitchen was declared The Clinton Special District, with long-standing protections for all the walk-ups on the side streets, through the hard efforts of residents and community organizers. Unfortunately, the City of Yes plan to develope a lot of new housing in the five boroughs threatens these special protections and the low-rise character of this very special neighborhood.

  4. David in Bushwick | January 13, 2025 at 12:19 pm | Reply

    Good gawd! It’s the original tenement museum.

  5. David of Flushing | January 13, 2025 at 5:15 pm | Reply

    I have never seen such shapely legs on a bathtub. The walls are likely infested. Buildings do come to the end of their service lives.

  6. so the city will be paying the tenants rents ? they are not responsible for any of it?
    Never heard of S:US – where did they get this money from ?

    $20 MM purchase + $56 MiM renovation = $76 MM / 80 units = $950,000 per unit.

    not mixed income, all homeless families who may or may not know how to be good tenants , especially where they do not own AND are not out of pocket for any of the rent. What could possibly go wrong.

    For almost a million dollars each, they could have purchased them mcMansions out of state. Why not rent to artists, like they did with Manhattan Plaza. This has the making of a NYCHA project.

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