Superstorm Sandy-impacted, tenant-in-place rehabilitation in Staten Island
Buckingham is a historic affordable and supportive housing development with 36 studios for seniors and low-income individuals in the Port Richmond neighborhood of Staten Island. Originally constructed circa 1875, CHV partnered with Enterprise Community Partners, NYC HPD Year 15/Preservation, and Sandy Build it Back programs to complete a $12 million work-out acquisition and tenant-in-place preservation rehabilitation of the building. Unique challenges such as damage from Superstorm Sandy, delays due to COVID, and original tenants living in the building during construction required creative problem-solving from CHV and the design team to restore the historic property and preserve the much-needed affordable housing.
Before Buckingham was originally constructed, the site housed the St. James Hotel, where the third Vice President Aaron Burr, spent the final two years of his life and passed away. The current building was a boarding house, where the community gathered in the pool hall and visitors found refuge. Historic fireplaces and wallpaper were revealed during demolition, highlighting the rich history of the property. CHV brought back the original arched windows, the exterior brick was refurbished to align with original details, and the roofline’s ornate cornice and frieze were repaired.
Located under 1/10th of a mile from the bay waters and in imminent danger of becoming derelict from years of neglect, CHV relocated mechanical systems above the flood zone and addressed deferred capital maintenance and resiliency issues using flood resistant materials. The team carefully selected durable, non-toxic, and easy-to-clean materials for healthy indoor air quality and sustainability. Buckingham preserved much-needed affordable housing and restored a historic property in the Port Richmond community.
