The six-story, City-owned building between 9th and 10th Avenues has been empty since 2014. Originally constructed in 1957 as a warehouse and later used by Voorhees Technical Institute and Hunter College’s MFA program, the site has seen decades of stalled plans and unrealized potential. A 2008 architectural study estimated nearly $58 million would be needed just to make it viable. Now, CUNY has listed the 28,966 square-foot site for sale, pitching it as a rare large-scale development opportunity in one of Manhattan’s most in-demand neighborhoods. With 160 feet of frontage on W40th Street and 133 feet on W41st Street, the property offers a substantial 216,260 buildable square feet for residential or community facility use — or 169,848 square feet for commercial development. The listing notes additional floor area is available through the Hudson Yards District Improvement Bonus and Inclusionary Housing programs , offering flexibility to developers interested in mixed use or high-density residential projects. Sales materials emphasize the site’s location at the confluence of “Midtown West Clinton and Hudson Yards”, touting strong rental market fundamentals and generous tax incentives. Potential buyers are enticed by programs like 467-m, 485-x and the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, which offer zoning flexibility and long-term tax relief in exchange for including affordable housing.
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