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Future New York

What's old is new again: Mass timber construction in NYC as Timberburg readies to launch sales

Frame 122 |  https://frame122.com/photo-gallery/ Frame 122 | https://frame122.com/photo-gallery/
In loft buildings dating back to the mid-19th century, exposed timber columns, joists, and ceiling beams add a note of historic charm to a converted home. But between new building techniques, a rise in popularity, and revised building codes, a number of 21st century buildings are coming to embrace timber construction anew.
The most commonly known techniques are cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction and glue-laminated timber (glulam), which bind prefabricated timber panels, making it stronger than steel. It is also more environmentally friendly than steel, as it does not require the burning of fossil fuels during production; moreover, if sourced from timber growing in sustainably managed forests and harvested responsibly, it is a renewable resource. Another plus is a shorter construction timeline, bringing new housing units to the market more quickly at a time when vacancy is at an all-time low.

In this article:

141 West 95th Street
141 West 95th Street Broadway Corridor
Thorndale, 406 West 45th Street
Thorndale, 406 West 45th Street Midtown West
Lifesaver Lofts, 120 Eleventh Avenue
Lifesaver Lofts, 120 Eleventh Avenue Chelsea
267 East 7th Street
267 East 7th Street East Village
248 East 7th Street
248 East 7th Street East Village
Cross-laminated timber construction CLT construction at Frame 122 (Frame Home)
Other countries and states have come around to the benefits of CLT and other timber construction methods, but New York is somewhat late to the party, having banned timber towers following a series of fires in the 19th century. However, in fall 2021, the New York City Council approved the use of mass timber for buildings. Two years later, in fall 2023, the NYCEDC launched New York City Mass Timber Studio, a program to support mass timber development projects. Participants described the program as a “resounding success” for the way it clarified regulatory concerns and provided regular check-ins with the Department of Buildings, which in turn sped up the design process.
The approval allows for mass timber construction of buildings up to 85 feet high, which means we won’t see CLT supertalls any time soon. However, the height limit is in line with the boutique condominiums that have proven popular throughout New York in the wake of the pandemic.

Below, we look at new buildings that have incorporated mass timber construction methods. We also look at prewar listings with exposed timber and wood elements.

Timberburg, 179 North 10th Street, Williamsburg
Developed by KSK Construction Group and Oily River Development | Design by Tahir Demircioglu Architect
7 stories | 23 units
Listings coming soon

179 North 10th Street, Williamsburg condominium Rendering of Timberburg (Woodworks Innovation Network)
At 75 feet tall, the forthcoming Timberburg will be the tallest mass timber building in New York City upon completion. Renderings depict a building with oversized windows and large, exposed mass timber balconies acting as an extension of the living space. It features existing masonry walls on the first floor, a new concrete foundation, and a new mass timber framing system from the first floor to the bulkhead. The project is targeting Passive House certification with features like an airtight building envelope, an all-electric infrastructure, and high-efficiency mechanical systems that reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling.

"Part of what makes the product very appealing is the ability to create great soaring spaces with beautiful wood beams rather than the typical drop ceiling over drywall" - Erik Churchill, mass timber consultant

The apartments at Timberburg will comprise six one-bedrooms, 10 two-bedrooms, and seven three-bedrooms. Prices will start at $1.2 million for one-bedrooms, $1.925 million for two bedrooms, and $3.5 million for three-bedrooms. Thirteen of the 23 apartments will have private outdoor space, including a pair of half-floor three-bedroom penthouses on the top floor with large private terraces and prices starting at $5.1 million.
Select three-bedroom apartments will have home offices, and some double-height apartments will feature ceilings up to 19'2½" high. All interiors will feature exposed CLT ceilings in many spaces, engineered white oak flooring, open kitchens with Thermador appliances, baths with Kohler fixtures, and Bosch washers and dryers.
Residential amenities will include a fitness center, a lounge, a mail/package room, bike storage, and a shared roof terrace. Seventeen deeded parking spaces will be available for purchase, though the building is located three blocks from the Bedford Avenue L train. It is also located in close proximity to McCarren Park and popular dining and retail on Bedford and Driggs Avenue.
Timberberg at 179 North 10th under construction in August 2025

Frame 122, 122 Waverly Avenue, Clinton Hill
Developed by Frame Home | Design by Brent Buck Architects
5 stories | 15 units
No public availabilities

Frame 122, 122 Waverly Avenue Frame 122 (Frame House)
Clinton Hill rental
CLT construction offers numerous environmental benefits on its own, and Frame 122, a rental building in Clinton Hill, goes several steps further by designing the building to Passive House standards. Features include high-performance windows, thermal sleeving, electric heating and cooling in all units, and solar panels on the roof.

The two- and three-bedroom units are arranged around an internal courtyard, and additional amenities include a fitness center, a communal backyard, private storage, bike storage with e-bike chargers, and on-site parking with electric vehicle chargers in every spot.
Rental fitness center

329 Vanderbilt Avenue, Clinton Hill
Design by Aaron Schiller
2 stories | 1 unit
Not currently available

329 Vanderbilt Avenue
329 Vanderbilt Avenue dates back to 1870, when it was originally constructed as a carriage house. However, a recent renovation brought it into the 21st century and up to Passive House standards with the owner, architect Aaron Schiller, updating the interiors with timber stairs, floors, and roofs, as well as recycled wood beams and materials sourced from Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The focus was on maximizing carbon savings, but none of that came at the expense of original architectural details or modern luxuries. Features include radiant heated floors at each entry point, an eat-in kitchen with Fisher & Paykel appliances, a sunken living area with access to a roof terrace, a private backyard, and a garage with curb cut.
Living room with timber ceilings
Mass timber stairs
Den with access to roof deck 329 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York's first mass timber home (Compass)
In a statement to the New York Post, Mr. Schiller said, “I was looking to prove a point with something developers said you couldn’t do in New York. I was confident it could be done.” The results speak for themselves: The townhouse sold for $7 million in March 2024, or nearly 1.5 times what Mr. Schiller paid for it in 2016.

Timber House, 670 Union Street, Park Slope
Developed by The Brooklyn Home Company | Design by Mesh Architectures
6 stories | 14 units
No public availabilities

670-Union-Street Timber House (Douglas Elliman)
At six stories and 23,593 square feet, Timber House is the largest mass timber building in New York City. While not technically CLT construction, Mesh Architectures principal Eric Liftin's alternative suggestion of glue-laminated timber won out and let the building take shape. In addition to the more energy-efficient construction method, environmentally friendly features include triple-glazed windows, solar panels, multi-zone heat pump heating and cooling, and an energy-recovery air filtration system. The interiors have been described as modern-day treehouses, and the building is sold out.

Umbrella Factory, 710 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg
Developed by SL Development | Design by Rawlings Architects
7 stories | 69 units
No public availabilities

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710-Metropolitan-Avenue-01 Umberella Factory (MNS)
As part of Williamsburg's industrial-to-residential transformation, the former Embee Sunshade Company factory has been converted to a condominium with industrially inspired interiors with exposed heavy timber beams. Large quantities of structural timber were sourced for the conversion of the existing building, and a glass and metal addition adds a contemporary touch.

Umbrella Factory, #5H (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

360 Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg
Developed and designed by Flank Architecture & Development
5 stories | 28 units
1 availability for $4,500/month

360-Wythe-Avenue-01 360 Wythe Avenue (MNS)
When the brick-and-beam rental at 360 Wythe Avenue and its sister project, an office building at 320 Wythe Avenue, were approved in 2017, they were the first of their kind to be approved in nearly a century. Flank co-founder Mick Waldorf told 6sqft that he didn't want to bring "hyper-contemporary glass boxes" to the neighborhood, and he has succeeded on that count: The brick facade was inspired by Williamsburg's historic factories and warehouses, and interiors feature exposed wood beams and columns.

360 Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg mass timber building 360 Wythe Avenue, #408 (MNS)
From the Listing: Apartment 408 is a perfectly proportioned studio featuring a sleeping alcove that can easily fit a queen-size bed and a separate 15-foot-long living space. 12’ ceilings clad in beautiful exposed Blackspruce timber, centra heating and cooling, and a luxury appliance package from Smeg and Bosch round out the offering. See floor plan and full details here.

Frame 283, 283 Greene Avenue, Clinton Hill
Developed by Frame Home | Design by LoadingDock5
5 stories | 10 units
No current availabilities

283-Greene-Avenue-01 Frame 283 (Frame)
Frame 283 was an early adopter of CLT, having received an exception to the building code so its construction could take place. Between its eco-friendly construction, solar panels, energy-efficient appliances and HVAC systems, dedicated compost bin in the trash room, and bike room, it is little surprise that the building achieved Passive House certification. It has proven wildly popular: The building is fully leased and has a waiting list.

NYC Listings with Exposed Wood Elements

The Hendrik Hudson, #2C (Nest Seekers LLC)

248 East 7th Street, #3-4 (Compass)

267 East 7th Street, #GARDEN (Compass)

124 Thompson Street, #26 (Corcoran Group)

Thorndale, #3D (Douglas Elliman Real Estate -)

The Peter Stuyvesant, #1B (Corcoran Group)

Pencil Factory, #4K (Corcoran Group)

33 Bleecker Street, #3B (Compass)

361 Dean Street, # (Sothebys International Realty)

145 Sixth Avenue, #4C (Sothebys International Realty)

Gramercy Park Habitat, #2L (Elegran LLC)

304 Clinton Avenue, # (Compass)

16 Desbrosses Street, #2S3S (Compass)

The Fischer Mills Building, #THB (Serhant)

The Loft, #M3 (Compass)

9 Gay Street, # (Christies International Real Estate Group LLC)

21 Bond Street, #PH (Compass)

285 Lafayette Street, #5D (Compass)

115 South Street, # (Compass)

141 West 95th Street, # (Nest Seekers LLC)

85 Worth Street, #3 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate -)

115 West Broadway, #4 (Corcoran Group)

16 Minetta Lane, # (Keller Williams NYC)

443 Greenwich Street, #PHD (Compass)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
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Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?

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