Affordable Housing Lottery Opens in Gowanus With $888 One-Bedrooms

An affordable housing lottery has opened for another new Gowanus building that benefited from the neighborhood’s rezoning. Still under construction, this one is a 13-story, 193-unit block-long development that runs between Union and Sackett streets along 4th Avenue.

Included in the lottery for the 655 Union Street Apartments at 655 Union Street (formerly 204 4th Avenue) are 50 units, all rent stabilized and income restricted, 40 of which could be deemed truly affordable. Those are targeted at households of one to five people earning between $33,772 and $100,620 a year, or 40 and 60 percent of Area Median Income, according to the listing.

There are 34 one-bedroom units at $888 and $1,388 a month. Six are two-bedroom apartments renting for $1,051 or $1,651 a month. The remaining 10 apartments are targeted at families earning 110 and 130 percent AMI, or $93,806 to $218,010 a year, with one-bedrooms from $2,639 and two-bedrooms from $3,330. The most expensive unit in the lottery is a two-bedroom apartment set aside for households earning 130 percent AMI that is renting for $3,982 a month.

Apartments in Avery Hall-developed and L+Z Architecture-designed complex feature large windows, air conditioning, dishwashers, and in-unit laundry, according to the listing.

The building’s amenities include a rooftop terrace, outdoor pool, business center, yoga room, gym, and dog washing station, some of which require a fee. Tenants are responsible for paying for electricity, which includes heating.

Renderings show the forthcoming building will be finished with black metal paneling. The facade is completely covered with a grid of floor to ceiling windows, and the retail ground floor has a contrasting gray cement finish, also with floor to ceiling windows. The renderings show setbacks on the upper levels and greenery for landscaped terraces and the roof garden.

Prior to the new development, the site housed a Speedway gas station. In 2019 the deed for the property was transferred to 204 4th Avenue LLC for $29.75 million, according to city records.

Given the lot’s history, Avery Hall and its development partner Gindi Capital had to do extensive remediation prior to construction.

Because the development is taking advantage of the rezoning, it is required to include affordable units under the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program. It is also expected to receive the 421-a tax break, according to the listing.

The 655 Union Street lottery closes on December 23. To apply, visit the listing on New York City’s Housing Connect website.

[Renderings via NYC Housing Connect unless noted otherwise]

Related Stories

• Affordable Housing Lottery Opens for Gowanus Canal Towers With $784 Studios
• Extensive Construction in Gowanus Forecasts a Very Different Neighborhood Ahead
• State Workaround for Expired Tax Break Will Let Thousands of Pricey Units Proceed in Gowanus

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