Co-developed by Settlement Housing Fund and The Beechwood Organization, Weeksville Place is a new, 41,000 SF, 8-story building bringing affordable housing to Crown Heights. Of the 45 studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom apartments, 26 units are for extremely low- and very low-income seniors, and 19 units for extremely low- and low- to moderate-income households, 8 of which will be set aside for households experiencing homelessness. Named after the historic Weeksville neighborhood, one of the largest free Black communities in pre-Civil War America, the project is rooted in its context, incorporating expressive geometric design details inspired by the traditional masonry patterns of its neighbors.
The building welcomes residents with a covered porch that leads into a bright and inviting lobby. Freestanding mailboxes are prominently situated near the elevators, while an open lounge with a built-in bench offers a comfortable spot to pause, relax, and connect with neighbors. Adjacent to the lobby, a community room with a warming pantry provides a flexible space for resident gatherings and activities. A clear sightline from the vestibule extends through the building to the landscaped rear yard, establishing a strong visual connection between the entry and the outdoor amenity space. The rear yard offers multiple levels of gathering areas, including a grill station and a separate gated playground for children. An areaway at the rear yard brings daylight into the cellar-level social services office suite. From the office windows, a rock garden at the bottom of the areaway is visible, creating a serene view for the staff. A bike storage room is also located at this level. Two residential units are on the ground floor with the remaining apartments located on floors 2-8. The 7th floor has a centrally located laundry room adjacent to an accessible outdoor terrace.
The main building volume is clad in reinforced fiber-cement panels arranged in dynamic chevron and herringbone patterns, while ornamental metal screening at the base of the brick volume echoes the rich brickwork of neighboring buildings. These geometric motifs carry into the interior, where warm wood panels in the lobby and residential corridors complement the strong geometry, creating distinctive moments throughout the communal and circulation spaces. The project exceeds Enterprise Green Communities standards and has rooftop solar PV panels. In emergencies, a gas-fired generator powers the building’s life safety systems and ensures cooling for the community room where residents can safely gather.
Client: Settlement Housing Fund (SHF), The Beechwood Organization.
Agency: NYC HPD.
Program: residential (affordable, senior, supportive).
Size: 41,000 SF, 45 units (studio, 1br, 2br), 8 stories + cellar.
Team: Structural: Silman. Mechanical: Rosenthal Engineering. Landscape: RKLA Studio. Civil: Michael Wein. Energy: Bright Power. Environmental: AKRF. General Contractor: The Beechwood Organization.