East Harlem to Get $225M Affordable Housing and Arts Complex
A $225 million development named Timbale Terrace is planned for East Harlem. The project will transform a city-owned lot into a 20-story building featuring a performance venue and 341 units of affordable housing. This represents a significant new mixed-use development for the neighborhood.
- The project will be built on a former NYPD parking lot located on Park Avenue between East 118th and East 119th Streets. - Of the 341 affordable units, 97 are designated as supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals. The remaining apartments are for households earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income. - The integrated arts facility will be named Casa Belongó and will be the new permanent home for the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, a Grammy-winning organization founded by Arturo O'Farrill. - The 21,000-square-foot cultural center, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, will feature a performance hall, recording studio, art gallery, and a café. - The development is a result of the East Harlem Neighborhood Plan and rezoning, with the city selecting developers Lantern Organization and Mega Development in 2021 to build on the site. - The building is designed to meet Passive House standards for energy efficiency and will include amenities like rooftop terraces, a fitness center, and a children's library. - Funding for the $255 million project comes from a mix of sources including the city's Extremely Low & Low Income Affordability (ELLA) program, grants from the Manhattan Borough President and City Council, and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. - Construction officially broke ground in February 2026, with an anticipated completion date in 2028.
