RiseBoro Community Partnership and Slate Property Group have launched leasing at Baisley Pond Park Residences, a redevelopment project at 143-06 135th Avenue in South Jamaica, Queens. The project involves the conversion of the former JFK Hilton Hotel into 318 affordable apartments, including supportive units for formerly homeless residents. Designed by Aufgang Architects, it is the first hotel-to-housing conversion completed under New York State’s Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA).
Currently, 125 low-income units are available through NYC Housing Connect. The remaining 192 units are designated as supportive housing, with RiseBoro providing on-site case management and transitional services. Apartments include full kitchens and ADA-compliant bathrooms, and the building features amenities such as community rooms, a children’s playroom, fitness and computer lounges, storage, and laundry facilities.
Rendering of Baisley Pond Park Residences in Jamaica, Queens via OSD
The development team acquired the property in December 2023 for $64 million. By utilizing the existing hotel layout and minimizing structural changes, Slate expedited the construction timeline to 18 months, half the time of typical ground-up development. The building now includes upgraded mechanical systems, rooftop solar panels, all-electric heating and cooling, and Energy Star appliances. It has been certified by Enterprise Green Communities.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Sometimes, older hotels require larger windows to meet regulations for conversions, but that was obviously not a problem here. This was a good reuse of the property.