The Heritage, New York Retrofit

The Heritage, preserved by L+M, showcases a multifamily retrofit project that eliminates fossil fuel usage, improves resident comfort, and minimizes occupant disruption through the use of innovative retrofit methods, materials, and technology. The 34-story, three-building complex , which was built in 1974 next to Central Park in New York City, contains 600 housing units, of which 402 are affordable, with 134 set aside for the formerly unhoused. 

The Heritage is an affordable housing development with poor insulation and high utility costs due to outdated heating and water heating systems. This project dramatically cuts heating and cooling needs thanks to major building envelope improvements. Packaged terminal heat pumps for heating and cooling will reduce energy use and costs from the current electric resistance heating system. The retrofit project also pilot-tests state of the art heat pump water heaters and electric laundry dryers.

L+M takes advantage of the recapitalization cycle of The Heritage to upgrade its infrastructure and include decarbonization measures to meet its climate goals while improving tenant comfort. The property’s age and outdated design made it an ideal candidate for a deep carbon reduction project, focused on envelope improvements, high efficiency heat pumps, and an integrated design approach to minimize tenant disruption. One element of this project is improving views through larger windows.