Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and city officials, alongside development partners, officially started construction on Timbale Terrace in East Harlem—a new development designed to be 100% affordable housing. According to an announcement from the Mayor's Office, the project is set to include 341 affordable homes and a community arts center, setting a precedent for the city's use of public land to tackle pressing housing needs.
Replacing what was once a NYPD parking lot, the development will also feature space reserved for 97 formerly homeless individuals and 30 units for youths transitioning out of foster care, in partnership with the NYC 15/15 program. "Affordable housing is the foundation of a rich, diverse city where all New Yorkers can live with dignity. Timbale Terrace shows what’s possible when we use public land to meet public need," Mamdani stated, underscoring the city's broader strategy to increase affordable housing. The development will further boast the Casa Belongó Music and Arts Center, a spacious, 20,000-square-foot cultural venue aimed at bolstering East Harlem's artistic heritage, as per the Mayor's Office.
Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg highlighted the initiative's impact, noting, "Timbale Terrace exemplifies the best of our affordable housing efforts: strengthening neighborhoods, enlivening the street, creating cultural space, and creating affordable housing for the New Yorkers who need it most." The sentiments echoed by HDC President Eric Enderlin, who mentioned in a statement obtained by the Mayor's Office that the development will serve not only as a residential space but also provide supportive services and cultural resources to the community.
The project has been supported by a mix of city subsidies, the Housing Development Corporation bonds, and contributions from various partners including the Department of Cultural Affairs, the former Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, New York City Council, and state and private partners. As reported, Mega Development LLC and Lantern Organization have been designated as the main developers since 2021, with Belongó playing a crucial role in the cultural aspects of the project. "We are proud to deliver a transformative development that will not only provide high-quality, affordable homes for hundreds of families, but also create a vibrant cultural hub for the community," Emanuel Kokinakis of Mega Group told the Mayor's Office.
In tune with the city's affordability crisis solutions, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine adds, "Timbale Terrace is a blueprint for what is possible in addressing our city’s affordability crisis." The project, according to Levine, is meant to elevate cultural and economic vitality in East Harlem, anchoring families to a neighborhood where community and prosperity are believed to go hand-in-hand—a vision supported by both community stakeholders and financial backers like Goldman Sachs, according to the Mayor's Office.
