Three new projects in the works for Washington Heights
In the centuries since George Washington's Revolutionary War fort was built on the highest point of Manhattan, the Upper Manhattan neighborhood that would become known as Washington Heights has evolved from sparsely populated farmland to wealthy New Yorkers' estates (famously painter/ornithologist John Jacob Audubon's) to low-rise apartment buildings. Higher-rise complexes like Castle Village later took shape; but between zoning limits, various surrounding historic districts, and the challenges of construction on its hilly, rocky terrain, Washington Heights has not seen anything approaching the supertalls shaping parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn. This has allowed the neighborhood to retain much of its original architectural character, not to mention emerge as a solar energy success story.
Aerial view of the Bridge Apartments | Credit: Federal Highway Adminstration - https://highways.dot.gov/highway-history/general-highway-history/gallery/interstate-photo-gallery-all-high-resolution-images, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150609642
In this article:
Radio.181, the colorful tower at 2420 Amsterdam Avenue housing the Radio Hotel and office space, is one of Washington Heights' tallest buildings at 297 feet high. Prior to its completion in 2021, the only other high-rises in the neighborhood were the four 32-story towers of the Bridge Apartments and buildings affiliated with Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, which has been in Washington Heights since 1928. Nearly 100 years later, we look at more new projects coming to the neighborhood, including two set to outstrip Radio.181.
2420 Broadway (Radio Hotel)
Aerial view of Castle Village in Washington Heights (Compass)
Forthcoming towers in Washington Heights
One Bennett Park, 524 Fort Washington Avenue
Developers: Bizzi & Partners; Sumaida & Khurana
Designer: Marvel Architects
23 stories | 268 feet high | 164 condo units
Completion TBD
Developers: Bizzi & Partners; Sumaida & Khurana
Designer: Marvel Architects
23 stories | 268 feet high | 164 condo units
Completion TBD
Facade detail of One Bennett Park
One Bennett Park will be one of the taller buildings in Washington Heights, but renderings by Marvel Architects show a context-sensitive red brick facade and a green roof that keeps it from being a completely jarring addition to the neighborhood. Recently filed permits indicate that the project is to feature a school on floors 1-9, 164 residential units (likely condos) starting on the ninth floor, and 87 enclosed parking spaces with valet service.
Residential amenities are to include a fitness center spanning two floors, mail/package rooms, bike storage, and lounges with terrace access on the tenth, 22nd, and 23rd floors. The building's location on one of the highest natural points in Manhattan will allow for open views of Fort Washington Park and the Hudson River, and the site is also located in close proximity to popular local dining and the 181st Street A and 1 trains.
Renderings of One Bennett Park (Sumaida & Khurana)
A new building has been in the works since 2005, when former developer Ruddy Thompson assembled the site and planned a 29-story glass tower; but in 2022, developers Bizzi & Partners and Sumaida & Khurana acquired the property for $12 million following a lengthy foreclosure process. Foundation work was underway as of October 2023. But in July 2025, Crain's New York Business noted that the MTA was seeking a small carve-out in the footprint of the project as the possible site of a new power station for the nearby A train. As of mid-March 2026, the Department of Buildings' website notes that a stop-work order exists on the property.
636 West 158th Street
Developer: Artifact Real Estate Development
Designer: Morris Adjmi Architects
17 stories | 198 feet tall | 140 rental units
Completion estimated for 2026
Developer: Artifact Real Estate Development
Designer: Morris Adjmi Architects
17 stories | 198 feet tall | 140 rental units
Completion estimated for 2026
Rendering of 636 West 158th Street
In April 2024, local preservationists lobbied to save a row of townhouses at 626-648 West 158th Street dating back to 1898. But as the houses are not part of the Audubon Park Historic District, they had little recourse and the houses were demolished to make way for a new residential tower. 42 of the forthcoming apartments have been designated affordable, but that comes as cold comfort to neighbors lamenting the loss of the historic buildings and concerned about traffic and disruptions caused by the construction.
Permits indicate that the apartments will start on top of nearly 24,000 square feet of retail space. Amenities are set to include bike storage, on-site parking, a fitness center and lounge with courtyard access, and an indoor/outdoor rooftop lounge. The site is located in close proximity to Riverside Park sports courts, the Hispanic Society Museum and Library, popular local dining on Broadway, and the 157th Street 1 train.
The townhouses previously on the site (Upper Riverside Residents Alliance)
Construction work, June 2025 (Upper Riverside Residents Alliance)
467 West 165th Street
Developer: Columbia University
Designer: BKSK Architects
28 stories | 322 feet high | 276 student housing units
Completion estimated for 2029
Developer: Columbia University
Designer: BKSK Architects
28 stories | 322 feet high | 276 student housing units
Completion estimated for 2029
Axonometric and height diagrams for 467 West 165th Street (NYC Department of Buildings)
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In late February 2026, permits were filed for a 28-story tower at 467 West 165th Street. This will literally cast its low-rise neighbors in shadow; however, an axonometric diagram shows setbacks on upper floors. Additionally, the context-sensitive BKSK Architects is listed in permits as the architect of record for the building, which is set to offer 276 housing units for students of Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Amenities are to include a bike room, a package room, and a ninth-floor amenity lounge with outdoor terrace. Another perk will be close proximity to Highbridge Park, Morris-Jumel Mansion (then-General George Washington's former headquarters), Word Up Community Bookstore, eclectic dining options on Amsterdam Avenue, and the 163rd Street C train.
Google Earth image of the site of 467-473 West 165th Street
Vagelos Innovation Laboratories
Developer: Columbia University
Designer: Kohn Pedersen Fox
8 stories
Completion estimated for fall 2026
Developer: Columbia University
Designer: Kohn Pedersen Fox
8 stories
Completion estimated for fall 2026
Rendering of new biomedical research building (Kohn Pedersen Fox)
Permits for new student housing (see above) were filed less than two years after Columbia University broke ground on an eight-story biomedical research building at West 167th Street and Audubon Avenue. Located a few blocks from the site, the all-electric building will be New York City's first university-owned research building that does not rely on fossil fuels. The design by Kohn Pedersen Fox will integrate biophilic principles like green walls and natural materials, and interiors will feature corner lounges between state-of-the-art research spaces to encourage spontaneous interactions between scientists, technicians, researchers, and graduate students.
Rendering of new lab space (Columbia University)
The Beacon
Developer: NewYork-Presbyterian
Designer: Studio Gang
16 stories | 323 feet high
Completion estimated for late 2028
Developer: NewYork-Presbyterian
Designer: Studio Gang
16 stories | 323 feet high
Completion estimated for late 2028
A short distance from the new student housing at 467 West 165th Street, construction is underway on The Beacon, a new healthcare center on the corner of Fort Washington Avenue and West 165th Street. The 16-story building is to offer state-of-the-art clinical services, not to mention for LEED Gold certification for healthcare.
Renderings of The Beacon (Studio Gang)
When the project was announced in February 2025, Becker's Hospital Review noted that it would replace the demolished Harkness Eye Institute. The eye institute is now located at the New York Presbyterian-Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and will relocate to the tenth floor of The Beacon. In addition to ophthalmology, The Beacon will offer consolidated oncology services (which are currently spread across multiple locations), clinical trials, nutrition support, and outpatient rehabilitation.
Plaza and park by The Beacon
Architect Studio Gang notes that The Beacon aims to consolidate advanced care into "a single, uplifting building." To that end, patients, doctors, and visitors will arrive to a naturally lit lobby with access to a courtyard garden. The lower volume will be designed to dialogue with the surrounding brick buildings, and programs that require less natural light (e.g. ambulatory surgery, imaging) will be housed there. The gently curved glass facade on the upper levels offers abundant light and separation from the bustle of the street, not to mention skyline and Hudson River views to enhance the exam, infusion, and diagnostic spaces.
Washington Heights condos for sale
La Mariposa, #3F (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
The Belford, #508 (The Agency Brokerage)
The Highbridge, #3E (Compass)
140 Hillside Avenue, #3B (Bohemia Realty Group LLC)
The John James, #3H
$1,025,000 (-12.8%)
Washington Heights | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,503 ft2
The John James, #3H (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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