Our History
Founded by Henry Phipps
Henry Phipps saw a need to improve housing for what he termed ‘the working classes.’ The organization was established by special act of the New York Legislature.
Phipps Houses Builds First Affordable Apartments
Henry Phipps established a $1 million fund for building model tenements. The goal was to create a safe, sanitary space for people to live in and for children to have a place to play. His objective was to “make this money do as much good as possible.”
San Juan Hill Apartments
Black leaders asked Mr. Phipps to build model housing in the San Juan Hill neighborhood on Manhattan’s West Side. The resulting eight buildings on West 63rd Street were owned and operated by Phipps until 1961.
Garden City Movement: Phipps Garden Apartments in Sunnyside, Queens
The Phipps Garden Apartments were built to introduce residents to a new environment – natural landscapes within and surrounding the 472-unit building. The final 13 four-story buildings were completed in 1935.
Workforce Housing for Hospital Staff
Phipps Houses was approached by various hospitals to build staff housing, ultimately resulting in over 1,500 apartments developed by Phipps for New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan’s East 60s and 70s.
The Henry Phipps Plazas
A major sponsor of a large urban renewal area, Phipps built more than 1,600 affordable units in four developments in Manhattan’s Kips Bay neighborhood.
Property Management Subsidiary Created
Phipps Houses Services, Inc. (now Phipps Affordable Management LLC) was formed to serve tenants and buildings comprising Phipps’ properties and those of other affordable and workforce housing owners.
Adding Resident and Community Programming
Formed as Phipps Community Development Corp., (Phipps CDC) Phipps Neighborhoods was created to provide education, career-focused, place-based programming to help Phipps residents and community members thrive and succeed.
Lambert Houses
Phipps Houses became the sponsor of its second urban renewal area, and builds its first Bronx development, the 731-unit, innovative Lambert Houses.
Major Rebuilding After NYC Fiscal Crisis
Phipps develops the 20-building Crotona Park West/Lynda Simmons Homes. Significant resident and community service programming is part of the development plan.
Service Programming Expands
Phipps Summer Camp was established in 1990 to provide educational and recreational summer enrichment for youth in the Bronx. Later in 2000, the Phipps CDC Daly Head Start Center opens in the West Farms Bronx community on the ground floor of Daly Avenue Apartments.
Phipps Community Development Corporation Opens it's First Beacon School Program
Phipps Community Development Corporation (now Phipps Neighborhoods) created its first Beacon School program to guide and support Phipps Houses residents and other community members. With a safe environment and positive programs, children and families had a place to thrive on the evenings and weekends. This was made possible by New York City Department of Youth Services.
Via Verde wins Design Competiton
Phipps, with partner Jonathan Rose Companies, wins international design competition for affordable housing with its entry, Via Verde, setting a new standard for beauty, sustainability, and resiliency.
Career Network Healthcare Programming
This career development program was established to connect young adults to healthcare-related employment and/or education credentials with partnerships with notable medical institutions across New York City.
Reimagining Urban Renewal
Having completed a massive assemblage and rezoning plan, Phipps begins phase one of an ambitious, multi-phase plan to completely rebuild obsolete housing of the 1970s, in the process adding over 1,000 new affordable units and new service programming. Lambert residents partnered with Phipps to make this dream a reality, growing to over approximately 1,800 units.
Building Better Communities that Thrive
Phipps’ model for the future includes village-sized projects like Lambert Houses, Atlantic Chestnut and Rockaway Village, and others. Within each development, Phipps will combine amenity-rich buildings at scale, with 24/7 concierges and extensive resident services, easy access to local businesses, and community facilities. These innovative developments are reshaping the landscape of affordable housing.
A Milestone: Celebrating 50 Years
Phipps Neighborhoods celebrates 50 years of service for all New Yorkers.