Sometimes creating affordable housing and preserving historical architecture goes hand-in-hand, like at Alhambra Apartments in Bed-Stuy. The block-long apartment building is located on Nostrand Avenue between Halsey and Macon Streets and dates back to 1889. It was designed by prominent NYC architect Montrose W. Morris, and features a unique blend of the Romanesque Revival and Queen Anne styles. The New York Times has even described this building as Morris’ “masterpiece”! Although designated as an official NYC historic landmark in 1986, Alhambra Apartments remained vacant and severely dilapidated until 1995 when HPD helped preserve its historic façade and convert its interior into low-income affordable housing with homeless set-asides. In 2010, HPD provided additional financing to secure the building’s stability and affordability, allowing it to be a pillar of the Bed-Stuy community into the future.

In keeping with this work, HPD has now released a housing plan for Bed Stuy to prevent displacement, reduce housing speculation and create new affordable rental and homeownership opportunities on vacant land. Learn more at nyc.gov/bedstuy