Livonia Affordable Housing

The city’s sprawling Livonia Commons project will soon break ground on Phase II of its development. Architect Magnusson Architecture and Planning Wednesday filed applications for new-building permits for the construction of 292 affordable apartments at 481, 500, and 463  Livonia Avenue, as well as 463 Hinsdale Street, all in East New York.

The four seven-story buildings will be built on vacant, city-owned land near the Livonia Avenue L and the Junius Street 3 stations. In addition to studios, one-, two- and three- bedrooms, the buildings will also include a mix of community facilities and commercial space.

Eligible families must make between $25,000 and $50,000 annually.

Being developed by BRP Companies, Local Development Corporation of East New York, HELP USA and Community Solutions, the project is a gem for de Blasio’s affordable unit creation goals. Architect Magnusson Architecture and Planning previously created a feasibility study and renderings for the conversion of Red Hook abandonment the Revere Sugar Refinery, and is designing a 51-unit building at 695 Grand Street.

Two of the complex’s buildings, located at 481 and 500 Livonia Avenue, will include such amenities as exercise rooms, roof terraces, and laundry, host both anchor businesses and smaller retailers in its 27,500 square feet of commercial space, in addition to the combined 158,568 square feet of residential space. The buildings will be identical, each with 90-units.

A third building at 463 Livonia Avenue will include the vocational New Visions Charter School on its bottom floors as well as 50 units of housing.

Lastly, 463 Hinsdale Street will include on its first floor a homeless shelter commercial kitchen facility, to be operated by HELP USA, and 62 units.

The lottery for the first phase of the complex opened in May, as Brownstoner reported at the time. Since closed, that four building development cluster will, once complete, include 223 units of affordable housing, with studios priced starting at $500 a month, the most expensive unit (a three-bedroom) going for just $1,196.

Once completed, the entire Livonia Commons project will bring 791 affordable units to the area.

Livonia Commons
The empty lots where two of the buildings are slated to be built. Kate Leonova for PropertyShark.

[Source: NYY | Rendering: L+M Partners]

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