Apartments Beginning At $784/Month — NY’s First-Ever Hotel-To-Affordable Housing Conversion Is Now Complete In Queens

With New York City consistently topping the charts as one of the world’s most expensive places to live, the words “affordable housing” are absolute music to our ears. Lately, it feels like the city is finally turning up the volume. From the recent Rego Park lottery starting at $545/month to the Willets Point project at $486/month, and even **$385K to *own* your own [Chelsea apartment](https://secretnyc.co/chelsea-affordable-co-op-lottery-385k-nyc/), the push for accessible living is hitting high gear. But the latest milestone is a true “first” for the city–the doors are officially open at the latest affordable housing lottery in Queens: Baisley Pond Park Residences, NY’s first-ever hotel-to-affordable housing conversion near JFK Airport. Located in South Jamaica, the former JFK Hilton–a once-vacant hotel dating back to 1987–has been completely reborn. In a record-breaking $167 million project, the site has been converted into 318 affordable and supportive apartments, making history as New York’s first-ever hotel-to-housing conversion of its kind. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the [completion](https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-completion-new-yorks-first-hotel-affordable-housing-conversion) of the Baisley Pond Park Residences on Thursday, December 18th. The accessible property also accommodates residents with motor, hearing, and visual impairments. A housing [lottery](https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/details/5740) opened back in March for 125 affordable apartments ranging from $784/month for studios to $1,493/month for two bedrooms. The 12-story building also has 191 supportive units set aside for eligible formerly homeless households. Developed by Slate Property Group, RiseBoro Community Partnership, and the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the former hotel is the first to be transformed into affordable housing through the state’s [Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA).](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S5257) Governor Hochul stated: > Baisley Pond Park Residences shows what’s possible when New York moves with creativity, and purpose to meet the housing crisis head-on. By transforming a long-vacant hotel into hundreds of affordable homes, we’re delivering real results for low-income and formerly homeless New Yorkers while making smarter use of existing buildings. This first-of-its-kind conversion reflects our commitment to expanding housing supply, supporting vulnerable New Yorkers, and building stronger, more equitable communities across the State. 🏠 Inside 144-02 135th Avenue ---------------------------- Because the building already had a hotel layout, the conversion moved significantly faster** than traditional new construction. Here’s what you’ll find inside: * The Layout: 12 stories featuring 125 affordable units and 191 supportive units for formerly homeless households * The Price Point: during the lottery phase, studios started as low as $784/month, with two-bedrooms capped at $1,493/month * Sustainability: the building is fully electric, utilizing rooftop solar panels, Energy Star appliances, and state-of-the-art heating and cooling to slash emissions * Amenities: residents have access to a gym, yoga room, computer lounge, laundry facilities, and a stunning indoor/outdoor garden space The fully-electric building utilizes state-of-the-art cooling and heating systems, Energy Star appliances, and rooftop solar panels to dramatically reduce its emissions. It’s also been certified by Enterprise Green Communities. While the initial lottery for Baisley Pond Park has closed, this is only the beginning. The city is actively scouting more hotel-to-apartment conversions to meet the goals of the Governor’s $25 billion Housing Plan, which aims to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across the state. Source: https://secretnyc.co/baisley-pond-park-residences-south-jamaica-ny-first-ever-hotel-affordable-housing-conversion/