King’s to Lease Downtown Brooklyn Housing, Buy Manhattan Real Estate
"These housing upgrades are positive steps in the right direction and we’re extremely thankful for the wisdom and faithful commitment of so many that have brought us to this point," said Acting President Tim Gibson.
On March 29, The King’s College signed two-year leases on housing in Downtown Brooklyn. King’s will rent two-bedroom apartments on nine floors of a brand new high-rise building, a 15-minute commute from campus in Manhattan. The apartment complex is steps away from City Point Brooklyn, a food, shopping, and entertainment destination that contains a Trader Joe’s grocery store and a Target.
Come Fall 2018, the City Point apartments will be home to six Houses: Churchill, Lewis, Reagan, Bonhoeffer, Truth, and Thatcher. Men and women will be housed on separate floors, with House members placed next to one another as much as logistically possible. Dean of Students David Leedy says, “I am thrilled about our new Brooklyn housing. With fantastic amenities, its convenient location, and entire floors in a brand new building, it will provide students with a superior living experience and serve to bolster community.”
Downtown Brooklyn is a rapidly developing, low-crime neighborhood known for cultural landmarks such as the Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower and Brooklyn Borough Hall. Within the last fifteen years, it has also become home to many young professionals. In the new Brooklyn apartments, students will enjoy rooftop and terrace access, washers and dryers in units, and 24/7 front desk service. The building also houses a gym, a community room, and bike storage. The City Point apartments are a short walking distance to over ten subway lines as well as Fulton Mall shopping, the Barclays Center sports complex, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the scenic Brooklyn Bridge Park.
King’s is also in the process of purchasing real estate on Greenwich Street in Manhattan. Though still in process, the College plans to close on the purchase early summer. Students in the Houses of Anthony and Barton will begin living in two-person studios in the building as soon as this Fall. The apartment building boasts a roof deck, courtyard, and community space, and is a four-minute walk from campus. The Houses of ten Boom and Queen Elizabeth I will remain in other rented apartment buildings in the Financial District.
Acting President Tim Gibson says, “Our goal in the coming years is to have multiple residential acquisitions. Owning our housing enhances the long-term financial stability and viability of the College, affords us the opportunity to make the building completely ‘King’s,’ and facilitates formation of strong bonds that are crucial in our close-knit community. These housing upgrades are positive steps in the right direction and we’re extremely thankful for the wisdom and faithful commitment of so many that have brought us to this point.”
Update: The residence at 102 Greenwich was dedicated on May 10, 2019 as DeVos Hall in honor of Richard and Helen DeVos. The late couple served as members of the Board of Trustees, and their generosity was instrumental in the College’s purchase of the building.