Seven hundred and forty-nine apartments. That’s a lot of stories isn’t it? Welcome to the DeWitt Clinton Houses. Right here in Spanish Harlem these buildings stand tall. They’re a testament to a vision of affordable housing. A vision shaped in part by the controversies of the 1950s and 60s.
The DeWitt Clinton Houses weren’t just built. They were the result of passionate debates. Jane Jacobs a famous urban activist criticized the plans. She argued against displacing the poor. She championed a mix of low and high-rise buildings. She believed this would preserve the community’s social fabric. Her concerns became part of the story of the DeWitt Clinton Houses. They influenced the final design.
The six buildings stand on 5.6 acres. Five are eighteen stories high one is nine. They’re a striking example of the “tower-in-the-park” style. This style was designed to maximize light and air. The architects Perkins and Will incorporated the city’s street grid into their design. This was a compromise influenced by Jane Jacob’s advocacy. The project finished construction on October 31 1965.
Named after DeWitt Clinton the former mayor and governor of New York. Clinton championed free public education and fought to remove voting restrictions for Catholics. He also played a key role in creating New York’s public school system. He is remembered for pushing for the Erie Canal. A monumental feat of engineering connecting the Northeast to the Great Lakes. His legacy lives on not only in history books but also in the name of these very buildings.
Sadly not all aspects of the DeWitt Clinton Houses’ history are positive. In 2014 tenants sued NYCHA the New York City Housing Authority. They claimed negligence leading to disrepair and public health hazards. This highlights the ongoing challenges in providing and maintaining affordable housing.
Today the DeWitt Clinton Houses are home to approximately 1823 people. Sylvia Velazquez the Resident Association President works tirelessly. She represents the community’s needs. She is part of the Manhattan North District Citywide Council of Presidents. She embodies the spirit of resilience and community advocacy within these walls.
So as you stand here looking at the DeWitt Clinton Houses remember this. These buildings are more than just apartments. They hold a complex history. A history of progress debate and the ongoing struggle for equitable housing in New York City. They’re a reminder that even in concrete and steel human stories are woven into the very fabric of the city.