Ruby Square

Organization Name: Perkins Eastman Architects DPC

Project Title: Ruby Square

Project Location: Jamaica, Queens, New York

Project Description:
Ruby Square is a transformative 714,000 sf mixed-use development in Jamaica, Queens, steps from the Jamaica Station transit hub. Building an affordable future for a growing neighborhood, the project delivers 614 rental homes, from studios to two-bedrooms, including 185 affordable units reserved for households earning 80 and 130 percent of area median income (AMI) to meet critical workforce housing needs. Many homes feature private balconies lining the building’s outer and inner facades. Residents enjoy more than 50,000 sf of amenities, including rooftop lounges, co-working areas, a fitness center, an indoor basketball court, a children’s playroom, pet care facilities, a turfed dog run, and nearly one acre of landscaped outdoor space. The development also includes 25,000 sf of retail, 5,000 sf of community space, and 284 below-grade parking spaces. At street level, activated retail frontages and an improved public realm enhance the pedestrian experience and strengthen the neighborhood’s economic vitality.

Community Impact:
Ruby Square expands access to affordable and workforce housing in Jamaica, helping longtime residents stay and thrive in their neighborhood. Its 185 income-restricted homes address local housing shortages for working households. Ground-floor retail and 5,000 sf of community space support small businesses, cultural organizations, and local job creation. By transforming underutilized parcels into a vibrant, people-focused environment, the project offers shared amenities, including playrooms, co-working areas, creative space, and nearly one acre of landscaped outdoor space, that foster connection and inclusion across all ages and incomes. Ruby Square also reintroduces 91st Street as a safe, pedestrian-oriented corridor with cultural programming in partnership with local institutions. Located steps from Jamaica Station, it supports car-free living and shorter commutes, while green space and sustainable design improve environmental quality. Ruby Square is building an affordable future by delivering more than housing: a resilient, connected community.

Organization Description:
Perkins Eastman is an international design, planning, and architecture firm founded in 1981, and is among the world’s largest and most respected award-winning design firms. From niche buildings to complex projects that enrich whole communities, the firm’s portfolio reflects a dedication to progressive and inventive design that enhances the quality of the human experience. Today, Perkins Eastman is a global architecture firm that has grown to include nearly 1,000 employees working out of a combined 26 interdisciplinary studios around the world.

Team Members:

BRP Development Corp; Skycore Builders; McNamara Salvia; Dagher Engineering; Sullivan Group Design; Terrain-NYC Landscape; S+S Lighting Design; Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, William Vitacco Associates