Public housing owners and construction teams continue to advance large-scale modernization efforts aimed at addressing aging building systems and long-term maintenance needs. In Brooklyn's Coney Island neighborhood, a key procurement milestone has been reached for the planned rehabilitation of Unity Towers, a 193-unit public housing development.
The New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust has selected Fifth Avenue Builders, LLC, to serve as the design-build team responsible for delivering comprehensive renovations at the property.
The selection follows a competitive procurement process that included qualification reviews and detailed proposal submissions from shortlisted teams. Evaluation criteria included project approach, design quality, resident impact, schedule, and cost considerations.
Fifth Avenue Builders is a joint venture between Urban Atelier Group and Camber Property Group. The team brings experience delivering large-scale rehabilitation and public-private partnership projects.
The project will be delivered through a design-build approach, combining design and construction responsibilities under a single contract. Public housing agencies increasingly use design-build delivery to streamline procurement, improve coordination, and accelerate project execution.
The modernization program encompasses one residential building containing 193 apartments.
Planned improvements include complete window replacement, facade restoration, upgraded kitchens and bathrooms, flooring replacement, and improvements to building security systems. Additional work will address landscaping, plumbing, ventilation, heating performance, pest management, and waste handling systems.
The scope also includes removal of environmental hazards such as mold and lead-based materials. Certain phases of the work will require temporary resident relocation, with occupants expected to return after renovations are completed within designated construction phases.
Resident participation has played a significant role in developing the renovation strategy. Since residents voted to join the Trust program in 2024, outreach efforts have included workshops, meetings, direct engagement activities, and ongoing communication through a dedicated community liaison.
Feedback gathered during those activities informed project requirements and helped shape the final scope of work included in the procurement process.
The development will remain publicly owned while transitioning to the federally funded Project-Based Section 8 platform under the Trust model, which is intended to support long-term capital investment and property preservation.
For public housing agencies, developers, and construction professionals, the Unity Towers project demonstrates how design-build delivery is being used to modernize aging housing assets while incorporating resident input into project planning. The comprehensive rehabilitation program addresses building systems, apartment interiors, environmental remediation, and operational improvements designed to extend the useful life of the property and improve living conditions for residents.
Source: NYC Housing Authority.
.png)
