Construction is finished on 498 Columbia Street, an eight-story all-affordable residential building in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Designed by Aufgang Architects and developed by Express Builders JB Inc. in partnership with nonprofit service provider Jericho Project, the 85-foot-tall structure spans 275,992 square feet and yields 371 rental units with an average scope of 554 square feet. The project also includes 69,409 square feet of community facility space and a ten-vehicle parking garage.
The property is bounded by Lorraine Street to the north, Creamer Street to the south, Columbia Street to the east, and 35 Otsego Street, a forthcoming residential project, to the west. The two buildings are part of the three-phase Columbia Street Commons master plans that aims to introduce a total of 661 affordable units.
498 Columbia Street is clad in a mix of bright red, tan, and gray brick surrounding a grid of recessed PTAC windows with black frames. Several corner setbacks are visible on the upper levels, and the structure culminates in a flat roof with several bulkheads. The project replaced a sprawling low-rise warehouse.
498 Columbia Street. Photo by Michael Young.
498 Columbia Street. Photo by Michael Young.
498 Columbia Street. Photo by Michael Young.
498 Columbia Street. Photo by Michael Young.
498 Columbia Street. Photo by Michael Young.
498 Columbia Street. Photo by Michael Young.
The unit breakdown at 498 Columbia Street includes 134 studios, 121 one-bedrooms, and 114 two-bedrooms. The inventory is reserved for low-income families and seniors earning 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) or less, as well as formerly homeless individuals. Amenities include 70,000 square feet of community space, an outdoor courtyard, and a green roof.
The next phase of construction at 35 Otsego Street will rise on the westernmost edge of the city block. Also designed by Aufgang Architects, the building will stand eight stories high and will feature a similar exterior design to 498 Columbia Street, as seen in the below rendering posted on site. This phase is slated for completion in March 2029, according to the info board.
35 Otsego Street. Photo by Michael Young.
Construction fencing has been assembled around the 35 Otsego Street site. Machinery is on site in preparation for the start of excavation, which should begin in the coming weeks.
35 Otsego Street. Photo by Michael Young.
35 Otsego Street. Photo by Michael Young.
35 Otsego Street. Photo by Michael Young.
35 Otsego Street (foreground) with 498 Columbia Street in the background. Photo by Michael Young.
The following view from 35 Otsego Street’s lot shows the blank party walls on 498 Columbia Street that will eventually abut the forthcoming building.
498 Columbia Street. Photo by Michael Young.
498 Columbia Street. Photo by Michael Young.
498 Columbia Street. Photo by Michael Young.
The nearest subways from the ground-up complex are the F and G trains at the elevated Smith–9th Street station to the east. The Red Hook ferry terminal is also about a 15-minute walk to the northwest, and the B61 bus provides convenient transit through the neighborhood.
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Who is spec’ing these ghastly brick combinations?