Stuyvesant Gardens I, a public housing complex in Brooklyn's historic Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, has been nominated for inclusion in the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
The nomination, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday, highlights the site’s significance as a product of community advocacy and urban planning under the federal Model Cities program, according to a press release.
Designed by E.N. Turano and completed in 1972 for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), Stuyvesant Gardens I has a “vest pocket” site plan, spread across portions of two city blocks. It is low-rise, standing only four-stories tall and closely matching the scale of adjacent row houses.
The design addressed the criticisms of the tower-in-the-park model that was ubiquitous for public housing developments in post-war New York City.
“New York’s historic places tell the stories of where people have authored the enduring legacy we cherish," Hochul said. "With these nominations, we commit ourselves to protecting that legacy and to sharing these wondrous monuments of human achievement with future generations."
Listing on the State and National Registers would open access to preservation programs and financial incentives, including state grants and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits. These resources aim to support the maintenance and revitalization of historically significant properties like Stuyvesant Gardens I.
If approved, Stuyvesant Gardens I would join over 128,000 historic properties across New York State listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation will review the nomination before submitting it to the National Park Service for final approval.
