Chestnut Commons

One of the first developments stemming from the East New York Neighborhood Plan, Chestnut Commons provides affordable housing for formerly homeless and low-income households. 275 affordable housing apartments are supported by an integrated programming package, including communal spaces on the second floor with direct access to a landscaped roof terrace. Community-centric in both design and development, the project integrates a satellite Community College campus, a food manufacturing incubator that provides job training, and a credit union.

"Chestnut Commons is going to enable us to serve more students in the community, allow us to provide classrooms near their homes so that students can work and go to school at the same time."
— Jonathan Chavez, Director of College Persistence, CHLDC

Developed and operated by locally-based organizations with strong community ties, Chestnut Commons strengthens the neighborhood with the inclusion of economic development and educational opportunities, arts programming, and job training services. Keeping with the project vision for a healthy, sustainable, and affordable community, the 14-story building is designed to Passive House standards and in compliance with NYC Active Design Guidelines to promote healthy living for residents.

Passive House

The development will exceed NYC Energy Code and Enterprise Green Community requirements by being designed and built to Passive House standards. The design integrates many healthy living, resiliency, and sustainability features, including rooftop solar panels, rooftop farming for residents, and other recreational spaces. Passive solar shading is provided by deeply recessed windows and projected solar shades at the eastern and southern facades.

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Community Resources

The building features a satellite campus for CUNY Kingsborough Community College, various shared classrooms and a computer lab, a construction-oriented job training center, fitness studio and gym, café, a food manufacturing incubator, a social services center run by the Cypress Hills Local Development Corp, and a Brooklyn Federal Credit Union branch.

Location

Brooklyn, NY

Area

300,000 sf

Client

MHANY Management
Urban Builders Collaborative
Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation

RECOGNITION

SARA National—Excellence Award
SARA National—Multi-Family Residential: Affordable Housing, Low Income Housing, Market Rate Housing
Metropolis—Planet Positive Award, Multifamily/Mixed-Used
NYSAFAH—Downstate Project of the Year
PHIUS—Passive House Certified
PHIUS Design Competition—High-Rise Multifamily Winner
PHIUS Design Competition—Acknowledgement of Excellence in Mixed-use