CONEY ISLAND — BFC Partners, in partnership with L+M Development Partners and Taconic Investment Partners, marked a milestone today with the ribbon-cutting of 1607 Surf Avenue, a ten-story, fully affordable housing development in Coney Island, Brooklyn. The newly completed building, designed by S9 Architecture and Engineering, offers 376 rental units and brings much-needed residential and community space to the heart of the neighborhood.
Located at the corner of Surf Avenue, West 16th Street, and West 17th Street, the 104-foot-tall structure spans over 360,000 square feet and features diverse residential layouts, including 94 studios, 105 one-bedrooms, 150 two-bedrooms, and 26 three-bedroom apartments. Units are reserved for households earning 40 to 90 percent of the area median income, with 57 units dedicated to previously homeless residents. The $189 million project was financed through the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the NYC Housing Development Corporation’s Extremely Low and Low-Income Affordability and Voluntary Inclusionary Housing programs, with additional support from Wells Fargo.
1607 Surf Avenue also features 11,000 square feet of commercial space, 9,000 square feet of community space, and a 2,500-square-foot primary care facility operated by New York City Health + Hospitals. Building amenities include a landscaped rooftop deck, children’s playroom, party room, and fitness center.
At the opening event, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries reflected on the project's significance, noting its symbolic importance on the anniversary of Superstorm Sandy. “Twelve years ago, our community was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy on this very day,” Jeffries said. “But Coney Island is a resilient community, and we know that a setback is nothing more than a setup for a comeback. This affordable housing development will ensure that low-income families, working families, and moderate-income families in this community can remain here and continue to make the Coney Island neighborhood one of the greatest in the world.”
Located near the Stillwell Avenue subway station, where the B, D, F, Q, and N lines converge, the project is the second phase of BFC’s three-part master plan for Coney Island. The first phase, completed in 2021, is a 16-story residential building at 2926 West 19th Street, which provided 400 transit-oriented, affordable units. The third and final phase is still in development.
“We are thrilled to welcome residents to 1607 Surf Avenue (formerly referred to as Coney Island II), marking a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to positively impact communities and build quality affordable housing in New York City,” said Winthrop Wharton, Partner at BFC Partners. “The addition of 376 much-needed homes at this building is a key step in our broader vision to deliver 1,300 homes by the final phase of the project.”