Next Steps In Reimagining Gansevoort Square

Photo Courtesy of NYCEDC

Request for Proposals Outline Vision for Up to 600 Units of Mixed-Income Housing with Goal of 50 Percent as Permanently Affordable, Ground Floor Retail

Part of Broader Commitment to Cement Meatpacking District as Premier Global Destination and Economic Engine Announced in Mayor Adams’ Fourth State of the City Address,

Gansevoort Square Redevelopment Part of Ambitious “Manhattan Plan” That Will Add 100,000 New Homes in Borough Over Next Decade

The next steps in the reimagining of Gansevoort Square—located on Little West 12th Street between Washington Street and 10th Avenue in Manhattan—that will result in a combination of more affordable housing for New Yorkers and new retail space for local residents and visitors was announced today. The Request for Proposals (RFP) outlines a vision for up to 600 units of mixed-income housing — with a goal of 50 percent of total units being permanently affordable — and ground-floor retail space, both which will be located on the residential site of Gansevoort Square. First announced in October 2024, this bold redevelopment will transform the approximately 66,000 square feet at Gansevoort Square into mixed-income housing units, new open space, and the opportunity to expand the Whitney Museum of American Art and the High Line—cementing the Meatpacking District as a global destination, economic engine, and cultural and artistic hub for the city. The Gansevoort Square redevelopment project—including the residential site and Whitney Museum Expansion—is expected to create 2,600 construction jobs and more than 160 permanent jobs. Finally, the full project is expected to generate $940 million in economic impact.

In August 2024, the Gansevoort Meat Market—the site’s current tenant—elected to leave the site early in cooperation with NYCEDC and the City of New York. This redevelopment will activate the block and build upon the evolution of the Meatpacking District, reimagining the site as a one-of-a-kind destination for New Yorkers with mixed-income housing, new publicly-accessible open space, and the opportunity to expand the Whitney Museum of American Art and the High Line operations facility—two of the city’s most iconic cultural institutions. The RFP comes after a robust public engagement effort, including three public sessions with over 100 attendees, as well as a land use presentation to Community Board 2 with over 200 attendees.

A competitive response to this RFP must describe a comprehensive plan to accomplish the following goals:

• Deliver up to 600 mixed-income residential units with a goal of 50 percent of total units as permanently affordable;
• Achieve or exceed the goal of 50 percent of total units as permanently affordable without public subsidy by leveraging the value generated by market-rate residential units and ground-floor retail space;
• Design the site to encourage active street life and creatively design the building to become an iconic addition to the New York City skyline, joining the illustrious architecture along the High Line;
• Promote sustainability, energy efficiency, carbon neutrality, and resiliency; and;
• Responsibly develop the project to advance goals of creating quality construction and building service jobs while adhering to applicable wage standards and labor protections.

NYCEDC is seeking proposals that utilize the site’s full potential to provide below-market residential units without public subsidy under the terms of this RFP. The site is well-positioned to leverage cross-subsidization through value generated by market-rate units and ground-floor retail space. Responses are expected to maximize total affordability to achieve or exceed the goal of 50 percent of units as permanently affordable.

Proposals are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on April 30, 2025. For more information and details on how to apply, visit NYCEDC’s website. NYCEDC anticipates selecting a developer by the end of 2025. The project anticipates certifying into the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure by the end of 2026, with expected completion in mid-to-late 2027.

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.