Construction is underway at the Three Arts Club, an eight-story residential building at 340 West 85th Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Designed by Curtis + Ginsberg Architects for the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH), the project will transform the structure’s 125 single-room occupancy units into 61 permanently affordable homes for low-income senior citizens. The property is located between West End Avenue and Riverside Drive.
A groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of work was attended by Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, State Senator Erik Bottcher, Assembly member Linda Rosenthal, and City Council Member Gale Brewer.
Image courtesy of the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH).
Image courtesy of the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH).
Originally known as the Three Arts Building, the structure at 340 West 85th Street was built in 1927 to provide housing for women pursuing education and careers in the arts. Over the years, the property housed generations of aspiring artists, including figures like Florence Henderson, who played the role of Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch. The below image shows a group of women on the rooftop looking west toward the Hudson River.
Image courtesy of the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH).
Under the reconfiguration, 40 percent of the apartments will be reserved for formerly homeless individuals 55 and older living with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Residents will pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent, supported by project-based Section 8 vouchers from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Referrals will come through the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS), NYCHA and Housing Connect.
On-site social services will include case management, counseling, recreational programming, and technology access. The WSFSSH will also pursue Passive House (EnerPHit) certification and infrastructure upgrades including high-efficiency electric heating and cooling, energy recovery ventilation, high-performance insulation and windows, and rooftop solar panels.
The project will also preserve key historic features in compliance with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, including the dining room and main lobby, the library and parlor room, and the music hall. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) recognized the project as a 2024 Buildings of Excellence award winner and Blue Ribbon for Design Excellence recipient.
Amenities will include a communal rooftop terrace and penthouse community space, a ballroom and performance space for residents and the broader community, a computer room, library and lounge, shared laundry rooms on every residential floor, a 24/7-attended front desk, and on-site superintendent service.
The nearest subway from the building is the 1 train at the 86th Street station to the east along Broadway.
Construction at 340 West 85th Street is expected to be completed in November 2027, with full occupancy anticipated by May 2028.
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This is a great project and it’s great that the historic interiors will be preserved.
But, NYC really needs to bring back single room occupancy housing which was effectively banned in 1955. This is how people used to afford living in NYC and it worked very well. Zoning laws need to be changed to bring this viable residential type back to help with the housing affordability shortage.
Amen.
Agreed.
@ DavidinBushwick
I grew up in the city and cannot afford my old neighborhood although I do OK. I don’t hear or see enough advocacy for Single Room Occupancy developments. Surely there’s a need especially while people wait for those few affordable housing lotteries to favorably materialize for them.
In the name of human decency I think some of these big office buildings that don’t possess prime office space there’s room for lots of conversions. There are many single men and women who don’t need huge floor spaces and who probably wouldn’t mind communal military style bathrooms.
These new developments will be safe and clean. We MUST invest in our youth. Buying a home for most young couples who are doing well is still out of reach for too many. Such developments could help a great deal.
Why so much affordable, supportive, and drug rehab housing in the UWS?
You mentioned that it was a women’s residence. I lived in Simmons House at 350 West 88th St. You would be shocked at how
inexpensive it was…….when posts say “affordable” it’s always more then my SS and pension combined….can you tell me what
the rental for this building will be?