Construction on Affordable Grand Street Guild Towers Likely in August

Two more towers are months from happening on the Lower East Side, right where Essex Crossing dominates the skyline.

Earlier this year, demolition crews razed the two-story parking garage and Little Star early childhood center in the shadow of the Grand Street Guild. The bridge-adjacent parcel remains a vacant sandlot awaiting a major residential payload — fifteen- and sixteen-story buildings composed of 480 permanently affordable apartments, developed by the Guild (the entity controlled by St. Mary’s Church).

The Department of Buildings revisited plans for the new project last week – designed by Handel Architects – but again issued “disapproved” status. Once cleared, though, development will commence in two phases, with “Building 3-5” rising first. Expected completion date is sometime in 2025. Word on the street is the construction commences in August.

“Building 3-5” will ascend 15 stories at 165 Broome Street, and feature approximately 235,235 square-feet of residential area and 65,668 square-feet of parking space. Or the equivalent of 235 apartments (studios to three-bedrooms) and parking for 126 vehicles.

The second is “Building 3-6,” a 16-story structure at 151 Broome Street, mid-block between Clinton Street and Pitt Street. The proposed makeup is approximately 174,000 square-feet of residential space for senior living (245 studio and one-bedroom units), plus 14,280 square-feet of community facility space.

Meanwhile, many residents in the Guild are upset, not only about lack of progress, but also the temporary loss of parking. Those affected were not too thrilled with the apparent olive branch of free parking … seventeen blocks away.