A historic eight-story building on Manhattan’s West 20th Street and 11th Avenue is undergoing a $167 million transformation from its previous uses as a seamen’s residence and later a women’s prison into affordable housing aimed at supporting individuals exiting incarceration. The redevelopment project is being led by Camber Property Group in partnership with the Osborne Association, a nonprofit organization that provides services to incarcerated populations.
Originally opened in 1931 as the Seamen’s House Y.M.C.A., the building was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, the architects behind the Empire State Building. The structure featured Art Deco motifs inspired by maritime themes, including terra-cotta anchors and lighthouses, and offered accommodations to merchant sailors and stewardesses working on ocean liners. A chapel with ship-themed stained glass and a swimming pool tiled with fish mosaics were among the building’s notable features.
After its acquisition by the state in 1967, the building was repurposed several times. Initially used as a residential drug treatment center, it was converted into a correctional facility in 1974, known as the Bayview Correctional Facility. The prison became controversial over the years for allegations of sexual abuse and poor conditions, issues attributed in part to its original design not being intended for correctional purposes. Legal representatives for former inmates have cited numerous cases arising from incidents within the building.
The facility was closed in 2012 following extensive flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy, which damaged critical infrastructure. Despite repairs, the building remained vacant for years. Previous efforts to convert it into office space for nonprofits fell through, and with New York’s affordable housing shortage intensifying, the state issued a new request for proposals in 2023 emphasizing affordable and supportive housing.
Under the current redevelopment plan, the exterior of the building will be restored, and the interior largely gutted except for the chapel, which will be repurposed as a lounge and computer lab. A setback addition will add more apartments to the site. Of the 131 units planned, 79 will be reserved for individuals over 50 years old exiting the prison system, with supportive services and on-site case management offices to assist their reintegration. The remaining units will be allocated through a housing lottery for households earning between 60 and 80 percent of the area median income.
Additional features will include a 15-bed transitional residence for adults with serious mental illness and a community-use space, each with dedicated entrances on West 20th Street. The rooftop will feature a planted area replacing the former outdoor recreation area once used by inmates.
Architectural updates will honor the building’s original character, with recreated terra-cotta roofline details and restored pool tiles incorporated into a new lobby. Preservation efforts also extend to the chapel’s stained-glass windows and Art Deco fixtures, as well as a fragment of a 1970 mural by artist Knox Martin located on the building’s south facade, much of which is now obscured by adjacent luxury development.
Construction began with interior demolition in early 2024 and is expected to take approximately three years, including environmental remediation. The redesign focuses on transforming the space from a place of confinement to one of refuge, with all-electric systems and modern, energy-efficient features integrated throughout. Project partners emphasize the goal of offering stable, affordable housing that supports formerly incarcerated individuals as they transition back into the community.