Kingsley House

Organization Name: MDG Design + Construction, Smith & Henzy Advisory Group

Project Title: Kingsley House

Project Location: 41 Barker Avenue, White Plains, New York

Project Description:
Kingsley House is a 164-unit affordable housing development for seniors aged 62 and older located at 41 Barker Avenue in White Plains, New York. Originally constructed under the NYS Mitchell-Lama Program in 1968, Kingsley House was built to provide affordable housing opportunities for New Yorkers, and through this rehabilitation, the development will continue to support low to moderate-income residents into the future. As Kingsley House exited the Mitchell-Lama Program, HCR worked closely with the owners to provide low-cost financing tools to help maintain the development and extend affordability. The newly renovated apartment units include new kitchen finishes, upgraded cabinets, sinks, stainless-steel appliances, and tile backsplash; new circuit breaker panels, interior door hardware, toilets, faucet aerators, and showerheads; and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring throughout. The newly renovated building also includes a new beautiful outdoor terrace, library, and community room; numerous sustainability features to help its carbon footprint and increase cost savings, including LED lighting, ENERGY STAR certified appliances; and high-efficiency heating systems, including a new energy management system

Community Impact:
The $35.8 million rehabilitation project has transformed the 12-story building into a newly modernized home for seniors and preserved the affordability and viability of Kingsley House, while updating and improving the development. The rehabilitation of this 164-unit site is critically important in light of the urgent need for quality affordable housing for seniors.

Maintaining open methods of communication is essential to MDG Design + Construction and Smith & Henzy Affordable Group’s collective approach to rehabilitation projects. Especially with a site like Kingsley House, the team understands the disruption that construction can have on individuals – and specifically on seniors – and set up regular resident meetings to ensure residents were kept up to date with the status of the project and encourage resident involvement.

To further demonstrate a commitment to the project and Kingsley House residents, MDG and Smith & Henzy hosted a resident event with food, giveaways, and entertainment in addition to the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony.

Organization Description:
MDG Design + Construction is a leading real estate firm that develops, constructs, and manages high quality affordable housing. Overseeing all aspects of multifamily residential development, MDG is an expert in property management, construction, development, and design. Smith & Henzy is a real estate development firm devoted to creating affordable housing opportunities across the country. Smith & Henzy works to strengthen communities by creating sustainable, affordable housing that leaves residents with the comforting feeling of “home.”

Team Members:

Pantheon Development Group; MDG Design + Construction; Smith & Henzy Affordable Group; Concord Management of NY; architect Newman Design; and Nixon Peabody LLP as borrower counsel.