Earlier this winter, Trinity Church announced that it was building a 24-story residential tower constructed to Passive House standards at 50-58 Cliff Street, containing 120 permanently affordable apartments. The project is taking shape at a time when the second Trump administration is doubling down on fossil fuels, but the long-term benefits of Passive House constructions cannot be so easily dismissed.

Trinity Church is the second largest landowner in New York City with nearly 6 million square feet of property and nearly half of its $9 billion investment portfolio in real estate. In January 2026, Trinity announced its next project will be a 24-story residential tower at 50-58 Cliff Street, containing 120 permanently affordable apartments. The forthcoming tower will rise on a vacant lot adjacent to the St. Margaret's House senior living facility, also developed by Trinity Church in 1981.

50-58 Cliff Street, Lower Manhattan, affordable housing

Conceptual massing of 50-58 Cliff Street (Trinity Church)

Downtown news site The Broadsheet reports that the majority of apartments will be set aside for residents earning 30 to 80 percent of the Area Median Income, with 18 apartments set aside for formerly homeless individuals and families transitioning into permanent housing. Non-profit Settlement Housing Fund will co-develop the project with Trinity Church and staff the building with social workers who will offer on-site supportive services. Trinity announced that Dattner Architects have been tapped as the architects, which is aiming for Passive House certification.

Differing from the plans recently released by Trinity, a conceptual design for a 36-story, 174-unit Passive House tower at the Cliff Street site was published by SLM Architecture. Their sleek design features an arched ground-floor loggia, a four-story sky garden, and a range of communal spaces, including terraces, gathering rooms, and wellness areas—distributed throughout the building. The scheme also calls for the project to be 100% affordable, with all 174 units designated for seniors, families, and formerly homeless New Yorkers. However, it is likely that this rather ambitious design is not on the table.

Conceptual design by SLM Architecture for an affordable Passive House Tower at 50-58 Cliff Street

Planned amenities of the tower to be built will include a landscaped courtyard on the ground floor, a food-focused learning space, an eighth-floor terrace and venue to host events and community programming, and a rooftop terrace. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, following a brownfield cleanup to remediate any potential contaminants from past industrial uses, with completion estimated for 2030.

"This project reflects our mission to create inclusive, sustainable communities where New Yorkers of all backgrounds can achieve housing stability and thrive" - Judy Herbstman, President, Settlement Housing Fund

Offshore wind facility to be built on a 73-acre lot at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (Equinor)

50-58 Cliff Street is taking shape at a time when the second Trump administration is doubling down on the use of fossil fuels, even going so far as to pay French company TotalEnergies $1 billion to walk away from two offshore wind leases in a move denounced by Governor Hochul as "a pay-not-to-play scheme." However, the environmental and material benefits of Passive House construction cannot be dismissed or overlooked so easily. During periods of extreme heat or cold, the high-efficiency envelopes and multi-pane windows that are hallmarks of Passive House construction keep such buildings at reasonable temperatures without resorting to extensive energy use (read: lower energy bills). At any time of year, Passive House buildings allow for abundant light but limited street noise.

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Moreover, a recent crop of New York City condominiums constructed to Passive House standards show that sustainability and luxury can co-exist. Earlier this year, a penthouse at Charlotte of the Upper West Side, a boutique condominium built to Passive House standards, ranked among Manhattan's top sales. More recently, closings are expected to begin at Vita, New York City's largest Passive House condominium, later this spring, and Harlem boutique condominium The Dovecote is open for immediate occupancy.

Via Wiki Commons

Passive House listings in NYC for sale and rent

Mabel, #521
$6,932

Chelsea | Rental | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 678 ft²

Mabel, #521 (Rose Associates)

From the Listing: Discover Mabel, a rental property that redefines sustainable modern living by blending thoughtful design and natural tranquility. Abundant natural light, lush green spaces, and a commitment to peace and comfort at every level create an environment as serene as it is enchanting. See floor plan and full details here.

16 East 126th Street, #2
$9,700

East Harlem | Townhouse | 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 2,500 ft²

16 East 126th Street, #2 (Urban Living International LLC)

From the Listing: Welcome to this beautifully designed triplex located fully furnished at 16 East 126th Street, New York, in the vibrant neighborhood of Harlem. Gut-renovated in 2020, this residence combines cutting-edge modern design with ultimate comfort. Every detail has been meticulously crafted to offer an unparalleled living experience. See floor plan and full details here.

15 West 68th Street, #TH
$100,000

Central Park West | Townhouse | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 15,000 ft²

15 West 68th Street, #TH (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

From the Listing: Located just off Central Park, 15 West 68th Street is a magnificent 26' wide, 6-story single-family Beaux-Arts mansion that has been newly renovated to the highest standards to combine an abundance of stunning original detail with the finest modern amenities. This exceptional LEED-certified home with extensive passive house innovations affords approximately 15,000 square feet of immaculate indoor living space, plus an additional approximate 2,540 square feet of marvelous outdoor space in the garden, two terraces, and roof deck. See floor plan and full details here.

The Dovecote, #FL2
$1,175,000

Harlem | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,402 ft²

The Dovecote, #FL2 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: Elevator to your front door, a floor to yourself, a laundry room worthy of a closet organizer, plus ample Bosch Appliance package, wide oak floors, and enough space for everything else you love. Each floor-through home is designed to deliver complete calm from the moment your elevator doors open-spacious, quiet, and impeccably finished. Live in luxury that leaves a lighter footprint. See floor plan and full details here.

Vita, #3EN
$1,275,000

Midtown West | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 606 ft²

Vita, #3EN (Serhant)

From the Listing: An elegant blend of cutting-edge technology and rich organic tones defines this brand new 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom condo at VITA, a transformative building noted for its architectural excellence and award-winning sustainability. VITA was designed to exacting Passive House standards, meaning it employs innovative construction techniques and superior materials to substantially reduce energy costs, provide homes with a constant flow of filtered fresh air, and maintain comfortable interior temperatures year-round. See floor plan and full details here.

434 Throop Avenue, #2
$1,895,000

Bedford-Stuyvesant | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,806 ft²

434 Throop Avenue, #2 (Compass)

From the Listing: Live your best life at 434 Throop Ave, #2: your meticulously renovated, Passive-House inspired 3 bedroom 2.5 bathroom triplex with private rooftop deck and massive balcony in the heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant. This modern, sustainably-designed home is 1,806 square feet of pure luxury and functionality featuring 5’’ solid white oak plank hardwood floors, high ceilings, radiant heated bathroom floors, in-unit washers and energy efficient ventless electric heat pump dryers. See floor plan and full details here.

Williamsburg Green, #3B
$2,199,000

Williamsburg | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,407 ft²

Williamsburg Green, #3B (Serhant)

From the Listing: Welcome to Williamsburg Green - a boutique condominium where forward-thinking sustainability meets the effortless cool of Brooklyn living. Residence 3B is a gracious corner two-bedroom with highly sought-after northwest double exposures that illuminate the expansive great room. See floor plan and full details here.

Charlotte of the Upper West Side, #3
$7,750,000

Broadway Corridor | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,570 ft²

Charlotte of the Upper West Side, #3 (CORE Group Marketing LLC)

From the Listing: Residence 3 at the Charlotte is an exquisitely crafted 3,570-square-foot, full-floor four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom home, replete with a 73-square foot private balcony and included storage unit. Architecturally gorgeous and without compromise in its quality and detail regarding sustainability, health, wellness, and design, the residences at Charlotte of the Upper West Side set a new standard of New York living. See floor plan and full details here.

53 West 71st Street, #TH
$9,600,000

Central Park West | Townhouse | 5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 5,139 ft²

53 West 71st Street, #TH (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: This renovated single-family townhouse offers a rare convergence of architectural rigor, environmental performance, and refined luxury, ideally located on a prime park block. Offering approximately 6,035 square feet of interior living space and over 1,400 square feet of private outdoor areas on an 18 ft x 102 ft lot, the residence is defined by tall windows on every level that flood the home with natural light, while a dramatic double-height ceiling on the garden floor creates a striking sense of volume and openness. See floor plan and full details here.

248 West 71st Street, #TH
$17,800,000 (-31.5%)

Broadway Corridor | Townhouse | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 7,110 ft²

248 West 71st Street, #TH (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: Bring your suitcase and own a piece of Manhattan nestled between iconic Central Park and Riverside Park only moments from Lincoln Center. Meticulously deconstructed down to original Brownstone facade, this remarkable Landmarked home has undergone an exquisite transformation over the past seven years, carefully executed by a master Artisan renowned for their commitment to quality and craftsmanship. This rare 20-foot-wide single-family townhouse provides brand new infrastructure built to the standard of a European Passive House. See floor plan and full details here.

In this article:

"This project reflects our mission to create inclusive, sustainable communities where New Yorkers of all backgrounds can achieve housing stability and thrive" - Judy Herbstman, President, Settlement Housing Fund

Select which properties are of interest to you:

Passive House listings in NYC for sale and rent

Mabel, #521
$6,932

16 East 126th Street, #2
$9,700

15 West 68th Street, #TH
$100,000

The Dovecote, #FL2
$1,175,000

Vita, #3EN
$1,275,000

434 Throop Avenue, #2
$1,895,000

Williamsburg Green, #3B
$2,199,000

Charlotte of the Upper West Side, #3
$7,750,000

53 West 71st Street, #TH
$9,600,000

248 West 71st Street, #TH
$17,800,000 (-31.5%)

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In this article:

"This project reflects our mission to create inclusive, sustainable communities where New Yorkers of all backgrounds can achieve housing stability and thrive" - Judy Herbstman, President, Settlement Housing Fund

Select which properties are of interest to you:

Passive House listings in NYC for sale and rent

Select which properties are of interest to you:

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