City Unveils Winning Proposal to Reimagine Kingsbridge Armory

Photo Courtesy of NYCEDC

El Centro Kingsbridge Will Include Event Space, Sports Fields, Cultural, Commercial and Community Spaces in Phase One, Affordable Housing in Phase Two

Plan Informed by “Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan,” Backed by $215 Million City, State, and Federal Investment

Phase One of the project envisions a vibrant, mixed-use development with a state-of-the-art event venue space, sports fields for local youth academies, cultural and commercial space, over 25,000 square-feet of dedicated community space, an educational facility focused on workforce development, and more. Phase Two includes 450 units of permanently affordable rental housing adjacent to the armory. The redevelopment is expected to generate nearly $2.6 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years, creating over 3,000 construction jobs and 360 permanent jobs.

The development team for the project will be led by 8th Regiment Partners LLC selected through a competitive request for proposals for the development rights.

The project is backed by a $200 million investment by Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul, $2 million from Borough President Gibson, $12 million from Councilmember Sanchez, and a $1.05 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with the support of Representative Espaillat. The construction will be executed under a project labor agreement, ensuring fair wages and benefits for construction workers. 8th Regiment Partners’ proposal was selected after a rigorous request for proposal process that was informed by a nine-month public engagement process with over 4,000 community members, which produced the “Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan.” The environmental review is expected to begin this winter, and the uniform land use review procedure is anticipated to commence in mid-2025.

Through a collaborative effort, led by NYCEDC, the public-engagement process gathered feedback from over 4,000 participants and included over 950 survey responses, nine Community Board meetings, 16 small group discussions, and conversations with approximately 75 additional stakeholders across various industries. Participants included local elected officials, as well as representatives from community-based organizations, nearby schools and colleges, health care providers, merchant associations, and labor.

The development team put forth a two-part proposal with a diversity of uses designed to serve both the local community and the broader region. Their proposal’s programming is centered around the 180,000 square foot column-free Drill Hall within the Armory, delivering on the community’s vision for a series of cultural, commercial, and community spaces. The development team will lead the design and construction stages of the project, as well as the operation of the renovated Armory.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city’s future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.