Former prison to be converted to affordable housing

by tanya_martins | August 23, 2024 3:59 pm

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A former women’s prison in Chelsea, N.Y., will soon be converted into an affordable housing unit by architecture studio CookFox Architects.

Completed in 1931, it features Art Deco stylings with a facade of brown brick, caste concrete, and terra cotta. It is recognized for its chamfered corner entrance, which is inlaid with tiles.

In the 1970s, New York State converted the building into a women’s prison, which was later closed and abandoned in 2012 following damage from Superstorm Sandy.

CookFox’s restoration will include restoring the facade to its original YMCA state, including nautical detailing, adding an extension to the back of the building, and converting the interior into apartments. The restored nine-story building will be topped with a tiered volume of additional apartments.

The project, tentatively called Liberty Landing, will contain 146 affordable and supportive housing units and a transitional housing shelter.

The design includes extending the floor slabs to create additional space while converting the rear brick wall into an interior partition.

Historic interior materials will also be restored and relocated where appropriate, and rooftops and terraces will be converted into gardens for residents.

The iconic Art Deco entry will be redesigned to its original design, and the window and roof guards will be removed.

Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/former-prison-to-be-converted-to-affordable-housing/

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