A 266-unit affordable senior housing complex with focus on health and wellness to open in Brooklyn

A medical center in Brooklyn will be developed into a mixed-use complex with affordable housing, on-site counseling service, fitness programs, and integrated health care. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last week plans to transform the current Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center North Campus, located between Prospect Lefferts Gardens and East Flatbush, into Kingsbrook Estate, a three-building development with 266 units of affordable housing. Designed by Dattner Architects in collaboration with landscape architecture firm terrain, the development falls under the state’s Vital Brooklyn plan, created in 2017 to bring more housing and jobs to the Central Brooklyn area.

Three existing buildings at the medical center will be demolished and replaced with two new buildings. Another structure, the Leviton Building, will remain but be redeveloped to accommodate housing.

“The transformation of the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center North Campus is the latest step forward in our effort to revitalize Central Brooklyn with a $578 million investment in affordable housing,” Cuomo said in a statement. “The new Kingsbrook Estates will be an outstanding development that delivers top-quality affordable housing and much needed health and social service to residents of Central Brooklyn.”

The affordable units will be set aside for older adults and disabled veterans with a range of income. Residents will have access to on-site health services, physical fitness and activities, community rooms, on-site laundry, storage for bikes, and free WiFi. Plus, One Brooklyn Health System and Kingsbrook Estates will provide all-inclusive care for seniors at its 7,000-square-foot PACE Center.

The Kingsbrook Estates project will implement energy efficiency strategies, including the use of solar photovoltaic panels and green roof systems on the buildings. The development team is being led by Monadnock Development, CB-Emmanuel Realty, LLC, and Brooklyn Community Housing and Services, Inc.

“As a 20-year resident of the East Flatbush community, I am pleased that the Cuomo Administration is making this investment,” John Woelfling, the principal of Dattner Architects, said in a statement.

“As an architect in the community, my firm and I are excited to help transform this Kingsbrook campus to include much needed affordable, inter-generational, and supportive housing. Our site plan is a combination of adaptive re-use and contextual design that will integrate with and enhance the community.”

The $1.4 billion Vital Brooklyn initiative focuses on eight areas to improve in neighborhoods like Bed-Stuy, Brownsville, Bushwick, Canarsie, Crown Heights, Cypress Hills, East Flatbush, East New York, Prospect Heights, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens. At the center of the plan, which is bringing healthier food options, job creation programs, and more open space, is affordable housing. Cuomo pledges to create at least 4,000 affordable units through the program.

“Everyone deserves quality housing and healthcare services, yet every day, people come into my office who are in desperate need of these basic necessities,” State Sen. Zellnor Myrie said. “The redevelopment at Kingsbrook Jewish Hospital for affordable housing, along with a creation of a hub for health related services, is a welcome addition to our district and I look forward to its completion.”

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Renderings courtesy of Dattner Architects