East Harlem to Get $225M Housing & Arts Complex
A city-owned lot in East Harlem is set for a $225 million redevelopment project called Timbale Terrace. The plan includes a 20-story performance venue and 341 units of much-needed affordable housing, aiming to blend cultural and residential space in the neighborhood.
The project is a joint venture between affordable housing developer Lantern Organization and contractor Mega Development, transforming a former NYPD parking lot on Park Avenue between East 118th and East 119th Streets. This development was spurred by the East Harlem Neighborhood Rezoning Plan from 2017, which led to a 2019 request for proposals for the city-owned site. Of the 341 affordable homes, 97 are designated for formerly homeless individuals and 30 for youth transitioning out of foster care. The remaining units are for households earning less than 70% of the Area Median Income, with a significant portion—nearly two-thirds—reserved for those earning less than 50% AMI. The building will feature a mix of apartment sizes, including nearly 120 two- and three-bedroom units for families. The cultural centerpiece will be Casa Belongó, a 20,000-square-foot arts center run by the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (recently renamed Belongó). Founded by Grammy-winning pianist and composer Arturo O'Farrill, the organization will establish its new permanent home in the complex. The space is designed by the renowned architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Casa Belongó will feature a performance hall with a capacity for over 300 guests, a recording studio, art gallery spaces, practice rooms, and a street-level café. It aims to be a community hub, offering music education for children, arts programming for adults and seniors, and performances by local and international artists. The building is designed by Urban Architectural Initiatives to meet Passive House standards for energy efficiency and will include a green roof and solar array. On-site social services for all residents will be provided by Lantern Community Services, focusing on health, wellness, housing stability, and employment. The total development cost is estimated at $225 million, with funding from a mix of sources including city capital grants and tax credits. Construction officially broke ground in February 2026, with an anticipated completion date in 2028.
