CAMBA Gardens II (via Dattner Architects)
Yesterday, non-profit agency CAMBA and its dedicated housing developer CAMBA Housing Ventures (CHV) celebrated the grand opening of CAMBA Gardens Phase II (CGII) on the campus of Kings County Hospital in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Regarded as the second phase of the venture’s affordable and supportive housing development, CGII serves as a national model for the redevelopment of underutilized hospital property, offering 293 sustainable, supportive and affordable housing units.
Partnering community leaders herald CGII as both a testament to the success of CAMBA Gardens Phase I (CGI) completed in 2013, as well as an expansion of its societal contributions as outlined by the city’s Supportive Housing Loan Program. Recently awarded the 2018 Excellence in Affordable Housing Development by the Urban Land Institute New York, the developments together provide 502 homes for qualifying New Yorkers.
Photos via Dattner Architects
Participants in the ribbon cutting included NYS Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, as well as CAMBA/CHV President and CEO Joanne M. Oplustil.
Financed by $100 million in public and private investment, the new CGII apartments range in size from studios to 3-bedrooms. 182 have been designated for formerly homeless families and individuals, with the remainder set aside for families and individuals making no more than 60% of the area median income. As 6sqft reported, these units range from $822/month for studios to $1,228/month for 3-bedrooms.
CGII’s façade combines historic brick with modern curtainwall, covering its 5-, 7-, and 9-story stepped design. Designed by go-to affordable housing architects at Dattner, the architecture mirrors that of CGI, designed to complement neighboring hospital buildings and the surrounding community.
The development has been designed to achieve LEED Gold standards, featuring Energy Star appliances and lighting; healthy indoor air quality; high-efficiency building systems, flow showers, sinks and toilets; low/non-toxic finishes; bike parking on-site; day-lit common areas; and energy-efficient windows.
Each apartment features full kitchens and baths, durable and non-toxic finishes, ceiling fans and air-conditioning, wood flooring, solid surface countertops and windowsills, and efficient lighting.
Amenities at CGII include expansive green space for both passive and active recreation; community gardens for tenants; computer, laundry, and community rooms for civic groups, Community Board meetings, and KCHC hospital meetings; and 24-hour security.
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Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams says, “Expanding affordable housing across Brooklyn is of the utmost importance, particularly as residents face cost of living increases and rising rents. I’m proud to have supported CAMBA on this exciting project with $1 million in FY14 capital investment, which will help deliver much-needed, energy-efficient housing to East Flatbush, an area of the borough that has experienced decades of economic disadvantage. We must continue to increase the amount of affordable housing being developed in every corner of the borough, so that everyone can find a healthy and stable place to call home regardless of their socioeconomic status.”
Situated on the Kings County Hospital campus on the border of Crown Heights and East Flatbush, the development is in close proximity to Prospect Park, The Brooklyn Museum, The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, and the main branch of the Brooklyn Library. With Grand Army Plaza’s year-round greenmarket and Smorgasburg Prospect Park running during the warmer months on Sundays, shopping nearby is made both fun and convenient.
Google Earth aerial showing location of CAMBA Gardens Phase II
Contributing Writer
Katy Cornell
Katy Cornell is a Long Island native with a passion for writing about real estate in the big city. She recently graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in English and is a frequent contributor to CityRealty's Market Insight and NYC real estate blog 6sqft.
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