Castle IV

Organization Name: Curtis + Ginsberg Architects

Project Title: Castle IV

Project Location: Upper West Side, Manhattan

Project Description:
Castle IV is a comprehensive renovation of a seven-story building located in the Riverside-West End Historic District. Constructed in 1903 as apartments, it was converted to single-room occupancy in the 1940s and operated as an illegal hotel until 2022 to the detriment of the neighborhood. The renewed building will provide 82 units of permanent affordable and supportive housing for formerly homeless justice-involved New Yorkers and the local community. Updates will include accessibility upgrades, including a new accessible entrance, upgraded finishes and fixtures, and a landscaped rear yard as a place of respite for residents. The renovation will incorporate new roof and façade insulation and high-performance windows for thermal comfort while maintaining New York City landmark protected Renaissance Revival features and the building’s unique identity. Fully electrified heating, cooling, and cooking eliminates the need for the existing oil-fired boiler, removing contaminants, ensuring fresh indoor air, and safeguarding residents’ health.

Community Impact:
The project builds on Fortune Society’s successful Castle Gardens model to create affordable and supportive permanent housing in a transit-rich neighborhood with a dearth of affordable options. The renovation gives this former illegal hotel new life as a safe and welcoming residence offering in-depth on-site social services by the Fortune Society, including case management, group sessions, community building activities, as well as 24/7 security staffing. Amenities include a new commercial-grade kitchen, dining space, warming pantry, laundry, and community room for tenant engagement. Fortune’s innovative mixed housing program designates 15 units for existing tenants who will receive additional protections from the city to maintain their affordable rent, while nine units will be preserved as affordable housing for members of the surrounding community. 58 units will be reserved for formerly homeless New Yorkers impacted by the criminal justice system, helping them break the cycle of poverty and disenfranchisement through community integration. Supported by an HPD/NYSERDA Electrification grant, the building will minimize energy consumption to help maintain affordability.

Organization Description:
Fortune Society has 57+ years of experience serving formerly incarcerated individuals in NYC, with 22+ years of experience managing emergency, transitional and supportive permanent housing. They are one of the few service providers exclusively dedicated to serving justice-involved individuals including those who are reentering the community from incarceration and are homeless. Curtis + Ginsberg Architects is an award-winning architecture and planning firm with a mission to improve the built environment in a sustainable and socially conscious manner.

Team Members:

Developer–Fortune Society
Architect–Curtis + Ginsberg
Structural–Old Structures Engineering
MEPF–Dagher
Energy–Cosentini
Accessibility–United Spinal Associates
Development Consultant–ALC