Developing Brooklyn:
Clarkson Estates

Brooklyn, NY Currently under construction in Flatbush, Clarkson Estates is a 328-unit, permanently affordable housing development by CAMBA Housing Ventures. The nine-story building, designed by architects CetraRuddy, topped out in April and when completed will also feature more than 30,000 s/f of community facility space. It is also part of New York State’s ongoing $1.4 billion Vital Brooklyn initiative, which aims to address a statewide housing shortage while improving health and quality of life for Central Brooklyn residents.

Clarkson Estates has transformed a site that was formerly underutilized as a parking lot for SUNY Downstate Medical Center into much needed workforce and supportive housing with access to healthcare services. The design features a double-height lobby at both the residential and community facility entrances with plentiful access to natural light throughout the common spaces. Amenities will include free Wi-Fi in units, 24/7 front desk security to enhance safety, extensive landscaping including courtyards and rooftop terraces to encourage community connection, a teaching kitchen for nutrition workshops, children’s playroom, computer room, indoor fitness center, laundry on every floor, flexible community rooms, bike storage, live-in superintendent, and curated art by local artists throughout the building. CHV builds amenity-rich housing to promote health and wellbeing and provide an invigorating living environment for it’s residents.

This transit-oriented development is also designed to Passive House standards, which is the highest standard for energy-efficiency, to reduce its ecological footprint, provide superior air quality, and reduce energy use and residents’ utility bills. 

The building will include a photovoltaic solar array ready option, and has received funding through New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR’s) Clean Energy Initiative through NYSERDA. These sustainability measures achieve lower operating expenses, reduce the impact on our natural resources, and provide healthier buildings for the residents and neighborhood.

Project Team

Architect: CetraRuddy

Developer: CAMBA Housing Ventures Inc.

MEP Engineer: Dagher Engineering

Structural Engineer: DeSimone Consulting Engineers

Landscape Architects: Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners PLLC

Financing: $104.8 million in New York State Housing Finance Agency Private Activity Bonds, enhanced by a $105.6 million direct-pay Letter of Credit provided by the Urban Investment Group within Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Goldman Sachs Asset Management provided $101 million in equity generated by Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, syndicated by CREA, LLC, an affordable housing tax credit syndicator. New York State Homes and Community Renewal issued $77 million in subsidy which includes $2.5 million from the Clean Energy Initiative and $13.6 million from the Federal Housing Trust Fund. The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is providing $10 million through the Homeless Housing Assistance Program, and Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative is providing rental and service subsidies for the 164 supportive units. The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Affordable Housing Program is providing $2.5 million in support.

General Contractor: Bruno Frustaci Contracting, Inc