Brooklyn Daily Eagle – By Raanan Geberer | April 25, 2025
BOERUM HILL — Plans to transform a city-owned parking lot in Boerum Hill into a new rent-stabilized senior housing development were announced Thursday by the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
The dilapidated lot on Third Avenue, between Bergen and Wyckoff Streets, will be converted into approximately 68 units of affordable senior housing. In addition to the senior apartments, the new building, to be known as Third Act Apartments, will include commercial and community space and a rooftop garden and farm.
After a months-long community review process, the city has selected Cornerstone Construction Group, St. Nick’s Alliance, and Stanton Development Partners as the development team. David Cunningham Architecture Planning PLLC will lead the project’s architectural design process.
“Transforming the parking lot on Third Avenue between Bergen and Wyckoff Streets into 100% deeply affordable, permanently rent-stabilized senior housing is exactly the kind of bold, community-driven solution we need to tackle our city’s affordability crisis, address low vacancy rates, and support the needs of our growing senior population,” said Councilmember Shahana Hanif, who represents the area. “I’m proud that my Council district ranks among the Top 10 in housing production citywide.”
Who’s On the Team
Cornerstone Group has built more than 4,000 units of affordable housing over the past eight years. Cornerstone projects have garnered numerous awards, including the ULI NY Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing Development, the PHIUS Passive Projects Design Award, and the AIA New York State Excelsior Award.
St. Nicks Alliance, a nonprofit developer and service provider headquartered in Greenpoint, will manage the property and oversee social services for tenants. St. Nicks has developed more than 3,200 units of affordable housing and manages 110 residential properties. The group was started in 1975 by parishioners of St. Nicholas’ Church in response to building fires in the neighborhood.
Stanton Street Development Partners, with more than 40 years of experience, is a key partner in the project’s financing. It has successfully worked on financing dozens of affordable housing and community development projects.
David Cunningham Architecture Planning, which is based in Gowanus, was founded more than 15 years ago. Among its projects are a row of rehabilitated bungalows in Sheepshead Bay; rebuilt townhouses on President Street and in Red Hook; and a new extension to connect a house and garden in Bay Ridge.
“Seniors are an invaluable community resource, and Third Act Apartments will exemplify the wisdom, energy, and time that they invest into uplifting future generations,” said Michael Rooney Jr., CEO of Cornerstone Construction Group. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with HPD, St. Nicks Alliance, and Stanton Street Development Partners, creating an affordable, sustainable, and interconnected housing community where seniors have access to the vital social services that they need to thrive both socially and physically.”
“We are delighted to be part of the Third Act Apartments project, creating critically needed housing for low-income elderly,” said Amy Berg, deputy executive director for Social Services at St. Nicks Alliance. “Since 1980, we have provided high-quality elder care services in Brooklyn, and we support the health, active engagement, and housing needs of over 1,500 seniors annually. We are excited to help create a vibrant community asset in Boerum Hill.”
Developed With the Community
“This administration is committed to transforming underutilized city-owned land into safe, secure, affordable housing,“ said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrion Jr. “The Third Act Apartments will provide 68 older adults the ability to age in place comfortably and affordably with high-end amenities and services. Congratulations to Cornerstone Construction Group, St. Nicks Alliance, and Stanton Street Development for collaborating to create what will become a beacon of dignity and sustainability in the Boerum Hill community.”
Third Act is one of two Boerum Hill parking lots that were earmarked for affordable housing development, the other one being at 153 Nevins St. According to HPD, both lots had the same owner, and their leases weren’t going to expire until 40 years from now. But thanks to the efforts of Councilmember Lincoln Restler, ownership of both lots was transferred to HPD.
