Tribeca Office Tower Becomes 72 Family Apartments
Renters and buyers seeking two- to five-bedroom homes in Tribeca can track the project's sales process as construction moves toward 2029 completion.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Commercial
Construction is underway on a 21-story residential conversion of the former Human Resources Administration and Department of Social Services building at 250 Church Street in Tribeca. The project, which received city approval, will add 72 units of two to five bedrooms and is expected to be completed in 2029.
Why it matters
Converting an existing office-style building into apartments adds residential supply in a central Manhattan neighborhood, and the project's added height over its original 17 stories changes the building's footprint on the skyline. For New York City households, the mix of larger family-sized units and ground-floor retail shapes what kind of housing and street life the area offers.
The plan includes 72 units, 2,500 square feet of retail space, and about 15 underground parking spaces reached through a curb cut on Leonard Street. The building will set back 10 feet from Church Street and 15 feet from Leonard Street before rising to its full height.
The players
Steven Harris Architects
Architecture firm serving as the building architect for the 250 Church Street conversion.
Rees Roberts + Partners
Interior design firm responsible for the interiors of the converted building.
The details
The building will rise straight from the street to 11 stories on the northern portion and 15 stories on the southern portion, then step up to 21 stories after the setbacks. The former fire court at the rear is being expanded for residential use to bring in light and air. The environmental review concluded that shadows would reach Barnett Newman Triangle and Finn Square only in small areas and for a limited duration.
Timeline
March 2026: previous update on the building's plans.
2029: expected completion of the residential conversion.
The Home Front
Conversions of older office-type buildings into apartments are one way New York City adds housing without new ground-up construction, subject to the city's environmental review rules for shadows on public parks. This project follows that pattern, adding height and units while the review found only limited shadow effects on Barnett Newman Triangle and Finn Square.
If you rent or are shopping for space in Tribeca, watch for leasing information as the 72-unit project moves toward its 2029 completion. Homeowners nearby may want to note the new 21-story massing and the limited shadow effects on the two parks when assessing neighborhood changes.
The takeaway
Adaptive reuse of a large former city building is adding 72 family-sized apartments and ground-floor retail to Tribeca, with completion expected in 2029. If you are tracking housing in the area, follow leasing announcements from the project's sales website as the timeline approaches.
Further reading
For more on how conversions like this one reshape the market, browse Commercial real estate coverage for New York City.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tribeca Citizen.
