Since 1969, the Emma Bowen Community Service Center (EBCSC) has been an anchor institution in Harlem, offering mental health and supportive services to residents at 1727 Amsterdam Avenue.
In 2021, Hester Street partnered with EBCSC, NYC Health and Hospitals (H+H), the Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC), and Think! Architecture and Design to assist with the organization’s short- and long-term relocation during the current site’s redevelopment into a nine-story, mixed-use, affordable housing project. Once completed, the new building will offer 199 units for individuals experiencing homelessness, seniors, and families with incomes between 40-60% AMI, sitting atop the newly-renovated Emma Bowen Center.
Hester Street engaged Emma Bowen staff to identify their needs, daily operations, and the clients they serve to inform the design of the organization’s new space at the redeveloped site. We conducted a feasibility study to identify a space appropriate for relocation, and completed the community facility redevelopment design for their current headquarters. Our team also worked with the design team to plan for a temporary space to allow Emma Bowen to offer uninterrupted services at full-capacity before returning to their new headquarters.