Governor Kathy Hochul announced the selection of the Hudson Boulevard Collective — a partnership of BRP Companies, BXP, The Moinian Group and Urbane Development, with minority-owned businesses representing 31 percent of the development team — as the conditionally designated entity to create a transformative $1.35 billion mixed-use project at 418 Eleventh Avenue in Manhattan, also known as “Site K” of the Jacob K Javits Convention Center. This development represents the first project in New York City to be permitted to build to a residential Floor Area Ratio above 12.0, a zoning reform that allows more homes to be built made possible by Governor Hochul’s housing reforms enacted in the FY 2025 Budget. Following an exhaustive competitive procurement process, the proposed development HDSN, pronounced “Hudson”, would create 1,349 residential units, including 404 permanently affordable homes, across from the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The ongoing construction plan is phased to prioritize the residential component and expedite the delivery of much-needed housing. This project marks a significant step forward in increasing the supply of housing to address New York’s housing crisis while creating a vibrant new destination on Manhattan’s Far West Side.
“This transformative development embodies our vision for New York’s future — creating affordable homes, advancing our climate goals and generating economic opportunity for all New Yorkers. By utilizing the new residential density provisions we secured in last year’s budget, HDSN demonstrates how smart policy changes can unlock substantial affordable housing developments,” Governor Hochul said. “This project is an example of how thoughtful development can tackle our housing crisis while building vibrant, inclusive communities. New York is once again leading the way in showing what is possible when we think boldly about our cities’ future.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The development of Site K represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of Manhattan’s Far West Side. This proposed project will deliver vital affordable housing and catalyze economic growth through a dynamic mix of residential, cultural, and hospitality uses. Through this innovative public-private partnership with the Hudson Boulevard Collective, we are advancing sustainable, community-focused development that will strengthen New York’s future and demonstrate what’s possible when government and industry work together to serve our communities.”
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “This $1.35 billion redevelopment is a perfect example of how the State’s innovative policy reforms are creating long-term benefits for New Yorkers. The most recent Enacted Budget committed to using state-owned land to build more housing and this project helps deliver on that commitment. It will bring more than 1,300 housing units to Manhattan, including more than 400 permanently affordable apartments, while also transforming the Far West Side’s local economy. Projects like HDSN are a testament to the vision of Governor Hochul to create more affordable, sustainable, and modern homes in every community in New York.”
As one of the last remaining state-owned parcels in Manhattan, Governor Hochul made housing — and the creation of affordable residential units — a top priority for 418 Eleventh Avenue’s future use. Under the Governor’s leadership, Empire State Development reissued a Request for Proposals in July 2023 that reflected both the surrounding community’s interests and advanced the state’s housing and economic development goals. Led by ESD’s professional real estate, legal, and procurement teams, the competitive review process included a comprehensive analysis of each proposal and interviews with all qualified respondents. The construction of housing with an emphasis on maximizing the number of affordable units was the primary consideration for awarding this project. Selection criteria also included each development teams’ experience and financial strength and their proposals’ commitment to building community space and facilities, streetscape improvements, and ability to generate new economic activity to support the Javits Center with high-quality lodging.
The 72-story East Tower of HDSN will deliver one of the largest mixed-income housing developments in the neighborhood. Of its 1,349 residential units, 30 percent — 404 apartments — will be permanently affordable, ensuring long-term housing stability for hundreds of New York families across different income levels. The affordable component includes units for middle-income New Yorkers earning up to 130 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) and workforce housing for those earning an average of 60 percent AMI. The affordable units will be integrated throughout the building, and residents provided equal access to all amenities. The residential unit mix includes studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units, all featuring in-unit washers and dryers as well as central heating and cooling.
The 28-story West Tower will strengthen New York City’s convention and tourism infrastructure with a flagship hotel development. The tower will feature a 455-room full-service hotel, providing accommodations across multiple price points. The hotel component includes amenities designed to support the Javits Center’s operations, including ballroom space, meeting rooms, pre-function areas, food and beverage venues, flexible informal meeting spaces, a fitness center, and outdoor amenities including a rooftop overlooking the Hudson River.
The development’s five-story podium will establish a nexus of cultural, educational, and community facilities anchored by the permanent home of the Climate Museum, North America’s leading museum dedicated to climate change and climate solutions. Occupying 24,000 square feet across three floors, it will feature exhibition spaces, an action center, and educational facilities. The museum will feature ClimateTech programming, hosted in partnership with NYSERDA to support entrepreneurs developing innovative climate solutions through manufacturing planning resources, mentorship programs, and workshop spaces.
The community hub will also advance workforce development and wellness initiatives through two key partnerships. Emma’s Torch is slated to operate a 4,000-square-foot restaurant and training facility, providing paid culinary training and job placement services to refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through its intensive 10-week apprenticeship program. Complementing these facilities, a state-of-the-art 60,300-square-foot Life Time fitness and wellness center will provide comprehensive health and wellness programming across four floors, including an outdoor swimming pool and roof terrace, serving both residents and the broader community. Included in the building will be a 5,000-square-foot portion of the development reserved for future community programming options.