Williamsburg Houses

Historic RAD/PACT program renovation transforming one of the oldest public housing developments in the U.S.

  • Project Name

    Williamsburg Houses

  • Location

    Brooklyn, New York

  • Units

    1621

  • Buildings

    20 residential, 1 community center

  • Project Role

    MDG is Developer and General Contractor

  • Project Status

    Completed, February 2025
Building exterior at Williamsburg Houses

Project Highlights

Building exterior at Williamsburg Houses

Building exterior at Williamsburg Houses.

New playground at Williamsburg Houses

New playground at Williamsburg Houses.

Model unit living room at Williamsburg Houses

Model unit living room at Williamsburg Houses.

New basketball court with mural at Williamsburg Houses

New basketball court with mural at Williamsburg Houses.

New playground at Williamsburg Houses

New playground at Williamsburg Houses

Community garden at Williamsburg Houses

Community garden at Williamsburg Houses.

Updated kitchen at Williamsburg Houses

Updated kitchen at Williamsburg Houses.

Business space throughout the site

Business space throughout the site.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses ribbon cutting celebration.

Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Williamsburg Houses ribbon cutting celebration.

Building exterior at Williamsburg Houses
New playground at Williamsburg Houses
Model unit living room at Williamsburg Houses
New basketball court with mural at Williamsburg Houses
New playground at Williamsburg Houses
Community garden at Williamsburg Houses
Updated kitchen at Williamsburg Houses
Business space throughout the site
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration
Williamsburg Houses fall resident event and ribbon cutting celebration

Project Features

Site Improvements

Rehabilitation work consisted of upgrading all apartments and common areas, modernizing building facades, elevators, and heating systems, and abating environmental hazards, including designating the apartments and common areas as lead-free. The development team also preserved the historic aspects of the site and enhanced building infrastructure with new roofing systems, enhanced lighting, improved energy efficiency, free Wi-Fi access, and robust safety and security systems. Additionally, site measures included the addition of outdoor space, playgrounds with water features, basketball courts, and beautiful landscaping.

The extensive lead abatement work completed during this project ensured that 100 percent of apartments across the campus are now lead free, earning Williamsburg Houses New York City Housing Preservation and Department (HPD)’s Lead-Free Standard, one of the city’s first developments to achieve this status.

Project Highlights

Williamsburg Houses was completed as part of the Permanent Affordable Commitment Together (PACT) program, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)’s implementation of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. It was the first PACT site to utilize Historic Tax Credits.

Williamsburg Houses is an official New York City Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the earliest housing developments in the United States.

As part of the redevelopment of Williamsburg Houses, the development team instituted a scholarship program exclusively for Williamsburg Houses residents of all ages who are looking to pursue secondary education.  

Project Partners

RDC Development, a joint partnership between MDG and Wavecrest Management

Williamsburg Houses Residents Association

New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

U.S. National Park Service (NPS)

New York State Historic Preservation Office

JPMorgan Chase

St. Nicks Alliance

Grand Street Settlement

Heritage Consulting