Redevelopment Planned for Historic Former Essex Street Market Site
A new 10-story rental building is slated for the Lower East Side, bringing 99 apartments and long-awaited accessibility upgrades to the Delancey Street subway station.
Plans have been unveiled for the transformation of the former Essex Street Market site at 100 Essex Street into a 10-story mixed-use residential building. The project, led by Delancey Street Associates and designed by S9 Architecture, represents one of the final phases of the expansive Essex Crossing redevelopment initiative.
The proposed structure will house 99 rental units, with 26 designated as affordable housing. According to project developers, the unit mix will include 15 studios, 35 one-bedrooms, 35 two-bedrooms, and 14 three-bedrooms. Planned amenities for residents include a fitness center, co-working space, pet spa, and a golf simulator. The ground floor is slated to feature four commercial spaces intended for retail or food and beverage tenants.
A significant component of the development involves an easement granted to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). This agreement will facilitate the installation of an elevator and escalator at the Delancey Street subway station, which serves the F, M, J, and Z lines. This work is intended to bring the station into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The architectural design aims to harmonize with the neighborhood’s historic tenement aesthetic while utilizing a modern facade. Plans presented to Manhattan Community Board 3 indicate that the building will feature a visual break in its exterior to mimic the appearance of two distinct structures, utilizing a palette of green glazed and dark gray bricks.
Construction is tentatively scheduled to commence this fall, beginning with the demolition of the existing structure. MTA-related infrastructure work is expected to follow in 2027. If the current timeline holds, the project could reach completion by 2029. The development is reportedly utilizing the city’s 485-x tax incentive program, which allows for residential construction projects under 100 units to proceed without the higher minimum wage requirements mandated for larger developments.
Where it happened
100 Essex Street, Lower East Side
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