flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Design guidelines for retail space in NYC affordable housing projects released

Multifamily Housing

Design guidelines for retail space in NYC affordable housing projects released

Aimed at designing efficient, flexible ground-floor space.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | February 5, 2016
Design guidelines for retail space in NYC affordable housing projects released

Greenpoint Landing in Brooklyn, New York City, a megaproject with affordable rentals. Image courtesy Handel Architects, via Gothamist.

The Design Trust for Public Space and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) released the document “Laying the Groundwork: Design Guidelines for Retail & Other Ground-Floor Uses in Affordable Housing Developments.” 

The document is “a robust set of guidelines for designing efficient, flexible ground-floor space for retail and other community services in affordable housing developments,” according to a press release. “The guidelines offer feasible ways to improve economic vitality and streetscape in underserved neighborhoods.”

The document provides practical recommendations for building ground-floor space that is functional for retailers, community, and cultural organizations; accessible and convenient for residents and neighbors; and cost-effective for developers. Recommendations are included for:

  • Facade and signage
  • Exterior access and streetscape
  • Interior architecture: 
  • Mechanical (heating, cooling, and ventilation), electrical, plumbing; and fire protection systems:

For further information, visit here.

Related Stories

MFPRO+ News | Nov 1, 2023

Washington, D.C., Queens, N.Y., lead nation in number of new apartments by zip code

A study of new apartment construction by zip code showed Washington D.C., and the Queens borough of New York City are the hottest multifamily markets since 2018, according to RentCafe.

Adaptive Reuse | Nov 1, 2023

Biden Administration reveals plan to spur more office-to-residential conversions

The Biden Administration recently announced plans to encourage more office buildings to be converted to residential use. The plan includes using federal money to lend to developers for conversion projects and selling government property that is suitable for conversions. 

Sponsored | MFPRO+ Course | Oct 30, 2023

For the Multifamily Sector, Product Innovations Boost Design and Construction Success

This course covers emerging trends in exterior design and products/systems selection in the low- and mid-rise market-rate and luxury multifamily rental market. Topics include facade design, cladding material trends, fenestration trends/innovations, indoor/outdoor connection, and rooftop spaces.

MFPRO+ Special Reports | Oct 27, 2023

Download the 2023 Multifamily Annual Report

Welcome to Building Design+Construction and Multifamily Pro+’s first Multifamily Annual Report. This 76-page special report is our first-ever “state of the state” update on the $110 billion multifamily housing construction sector.

Mass Timber | Oct 27, 2023

Five winners selected for $2 million Mass Timber Competition

Five winners were selected to share a $2 million prize in the 2023 Mass Timber Competition: Building to Net-Zero Carbon. The competition was co-sponsored by the Softwood Lumber Board and USDA Forest Service (USDA) with the intent “to demonstrate mass timber’s applications in architectural design and highlight its significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment.”

Sponsored | MFPRO+ Blog | Oct 26, 2023

Unlock New Potential—Can Multifamily Pop-Up Hotel Concepts Transform Lease-Ups?

Dive into the new trend of multifamily pop-up hotels! Learn how they're changing the game in lease-ups, creating vibrant communities, and offering property managers a lucrative new revenue stream. Join the conversation on the future of multifamily living spaces.

Giants 400 | Oct 23, 2023

Top 115 Multifamily Construction Firms for 2023

Clark Group, Suffolk Construction, Summit Contracting Group, Whiting-Turner Contracting, and McShane Companies top the ranking of the nation's largest multifamily housing sector contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking factors revenue for all multifamily buildings work, including apartments, condominiums, student housing facilities, and senior living facilities.

Giants 400 | Oct 23, 2023

Top 75 Multifamily Engineering Firms for 2023

Kimley-Horn, WSP, Tetra Tech, Olsson, and Langan head the ranking of the nation's largest multifamily housing sector engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking factors revenue for all multifamily buildings work, including apartments, condominiums, student housing facilities, and senior living facilities. 

Giants 400 | Oct 23, 2023

Top 190 Multifamily Architecture Firms for 2023

Humphreys and Partners, Gensler, Solomon Cordwell Buenz, Niles Bolton Associates, and AO top the ranking of the nation's largest multifamily housing sector architecture and architecture/engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report. Note: This ranking factors revenue for all multifamily buildings work, including apartments, condominiums, student housing facilities, and senior living facilities. 

Senior Living Design | Oct 19, 2023

Senior living construction poised for steady recovery

Senior housing demand, as measured by the change in occupied units, continued to outpace new supply in the third quarter, according to NIC MAP Vision. It was the ninth consecutive quarter of growth with a net absorption gain. On the supply side, construction starts continued to be limited compared with pre-pandemic levels. 

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




MFPRO+ News

World’s largest 3D printer could create entire neighborhoods

The University of Maine recently unveiled the world’s largest 3D printer said to be able to create entire neighborhoods. The machine is four times larger than a preceding model that was first tested in 2019. The older model was used to create a 600 sf single-family home made of recyclable wood fiber and bio-resin materials.

halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021