BDB Construction converts 406,261 s/f hotel into FOUND Study housing

Manhattan, NY FOUND Study, a growing student and intern housing brand, opened FOUND Study Turtle Bay, their fifth building in New York City. Formerly the Marriott Hotel East at 525 Lexington Ave. the newly renovated property offers students, interns, and academic program participants 1,355 beds of housing and luxury amenities across 34 stories and 406,261 s/f. Applications for fall housing are now open.

Built in 1923, 525 Lexington is a New York City Landmark, designed by Empire State Building architect Arthur Loomis Harmon. Over a century later, the property has opened its doors to students and interns as FOUND Study Turtle Bay. After ceasing operations as a Marriott Hotel in 2020, the property was purchased by FOUND Study’s parent company, Hawkins Way, in early 2023. With many of the hotel’s century-old Romanesque Revival details preserved in partnership with BDB Construction Enterprise, the building blends world-renowned architecture and the latest in residential design for a unique living experience. Alongside newly renovated single, double, triple, and quad rooms, residents will enjoy amenities designed to foster community and academic success. FOUND Study Turtle Bay offers 24/7 security and is home to 30,000 s/f of communal amenity space, including a fitness center, laundry room, game room, performing arts studio, study room, community kitchen, and lounges.

“At FOUND, we’re dedicated to creating high quality, trusted housing solutions for students, interns, and our partners. As a former large-scale hotel, the existing property provided us with the opportunity to create new housing options for hundreds of students, with amazing amenities and a prime location. We see FOUND Study Turtle Bay and its sister property FOUND Study Midtown East as the future of student housing in NYC and we’re thrilled to start welcoming residents this fall,” said Andrea Colagrande, managing director at Hawkins Way/FOUND.

FOUND Study Turtle Bay provides residents with easy access to schools such as CUNY Baruch, LIM College, the New York Institute of Technology, and Marymount Manhattan College. Residents are close to attractions, restaurants, shopping and transportation hubs, including Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, and Grand Central Station. The central location makes FOUND Study Turtle Bay an ideal home for students and interns looking to immerse themselves in New York City culture and make the most of their experience living in New York City.

Residents at FOUND Study Turtle Bay will also have access to regular community events, exclusive discounts to FOUND partners, and perks at FOUND Hotels across the country.