Affordable Housing Lottery Opens for Near Block Long ‘Burg Development

An affordable housing lottery has opened for 56 apartments in a new almost block long nine-story development that stretches from the corner of Lorimer Street to about three-quarters of the way down Grand Street in Williamsburg.

With an appearance similar to many new builds in the area — that is, boxy with protruding rectangular balconies and a facade mixing glass and gray panels — the new development at 597 Grand Street will include electric vehicle charging and a small cinema, according to the listing. The development, with its total of 185 apartments, has risen on the site of a former Key Foods Supermarket and its adjoining parking lot, and counts colorful bar Blinky’s as its neighbor.

Of the 56 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments in the lottery, all income restricted and rent stabilized, 37 could be deemed somewhat affordable. Those are for families earning 80 percent of the Area Median Income, with limits set between $63,155 and $134,160.00 for households of one to five people, according to the listing.

Three units are studios going for $1,757 a month, 29 are one-bedroom apartments for $1,875, and five are two-bedroom units that will rent for $2,232. The remaining apartments in the lottery are for households earning 130 percent of AMI, or between $106,458 and $218,010 for one to five people, including 14 one-bedrooms priced at $3,317 a month.

Designed by NY Building Associates, the building has a light color scheme on the interior, with white walls and finishes in light wood and stone, renderings show. Apartments come with dishwashers, air conditioning, and hardwood floors, according to the listing. Tenants must pay for electricity, which covers the stove and heating.

The building is smoke free and residents are allowed multiple pets. Market-rate units started leasing in April, listings on StreetEasy indicate. It includes electric car charging stations, parking, a shared laundry room, media room, yoga studio, children’s playroom, fitness center, and business center, according to the listing.

The exterior mixes light and dark gray segments. Windows with dark muntins cover much of the facade, and some units have dark gray balconies. The renderings depict greenery on the roof and on terraces created by setbacks.

Prior to the new development, the lot at 597 Grand Street used to be occupied by a one-story Key Food supermarket and its parking lot, which had an address of 575 Grand Street. City records show the supermarket’s owners sold the property for $42.5 million in 2021 to Lorimer Streets Holding LLC, with the signatory Yitzchok Katz of Developing NY State. In March 2022, a demolition permit for the structure was issued by the Department of Buildings.

The mixed-use building takes advantage of New York’s FRESH program and will include 817 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor, likely to be devoted to a grocery store once again. It also appears to be using Inclusionary Housing and will likely qualify for the now expired 421-a tax abatement.

The 597 Grand Street Apartments lottery closes on September 20. To apply, visit the listing on New York City’s Housing Connect website.

[Renderings via NYC Housing Connect]

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