United American Land proposes first project in SoHo/NoHo under new zoning rules

Manhattan, NY The first development in SoHo under new zoning rules passed by New York City Council in 2021 is coming to Canal St. and Broadway at 277 Canal St., according to leadership from United American Land (UAL).

Slated to go through the landmarks process, the proposed project includes 25% affordable housing under Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH). The 13-story building is contextually-designed for SoHo by prominent architect Morris Adjmi, made of textured brick, metal, and terracotta characteristic of the neighborhood. It retains the existing historic facade on the first three floors, keeping the feel of the street level while enlivening one of SoHo’s most iconic corners in ways that benefit diverse constituencies.

Directly above one of the most active subway stations in the system, it is an ideal location for affordable and market-rate housing and revitalized retail – and achieves one of the main goals of the rezoning to more evenly introduce affordable housing across wealthier and transit-rich neighborhoods.

“United American Land is a family business with ties to this community going back over 35 years; historic preservation of this iconic neighborhood in our DNA.  At the same time, we are deeply invested in the goals set out in the rezoning that affordable housing should be accessible and equitable, and we are grateful to share this proposal with SoHo that achieves both aims,” said Albert Laboz, principal of United American Land. “We look forward to sharing our proposal with neighborhood stakeholders in the coming weeks and working to ensure 277 Canal fits seamlessly into the neighborhood’s historical and economic context while delivering affordable housing and new retail opportunities for New York.”

UAL has a long track record working in SoHo to develop projects that meet the needs of the neighborhood while acting as a consistent steward of historic buildings. It has developed and managed more than 20 properties in the neighborhood, including 53 Howard St., a former department store built in 1857 and recently converted to apartments with ground floor retail anchored by The Guild and Le Mercerie. It has also developed SoHo Mews, the 125,000 s/f condominium building on West Broadway and Wooster St. It received approvals from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to develop an 8-story retail and office building at 419 Broadway, directly across the street from the proposed site.

During the height of the pandemic, UAL partnered with Pop-up on Canal to enliven twenty formerly-vacant retail storefronts with short-term activations from artists, startups and incubators to help the neighborhood recover economically.

It has deep experience with historic preservation, with award-winning preservation projects across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. The company has won the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s top honors for its work at sites including 321/323 Canal St., 55 Reade/287 Broadway, and 505 Fulton St. in Brooklyn, as well as 53 Howard.

The proposed project is proof that the SoHo/NoHo rezoning process is yielding meaningful benefits for the community and the city at large. As New York grapples with a decades-long affordable housing crisis, UAL leadership hopes that 277 Canal will provide a model for how communities throughout New York City can generate opportunities for new affordable housing while retaining important local historical characteristics.

Per the SoHo/NoHo rezoning, the proposed project will go through community review and the Landmarks Preservation Commission. UAL will meet with local stakeholders, neighbors, and elected officials in the coming weeks as the proposal proceeds.