Construction has started to transform a historic building into 49 affordable apartments along a key gateway into downtown Albany, New York.
The $18 million project involves the adaptive reuse of the Selfridge & Langford Building that was built in 1911 and later served as offices for the New York State Division of Parole from 1982 until 2021. Vacant since then, the building was listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places in 2024 as a rare, early example of a neoclassical-style reinforced concrete building in the city.
“By transforming the historic Selfridge & Langford Building into new affordable homes, we are preserving a historic gem and bringing new life to Central Avenue,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “New Yorkers need more housing now, and projects like this are how we deliver it. My administration is committed to increasing supply, lowering costs, and making sure people have access to safe, affordable places to live.”
Developed by MLB Construction Services, 97 Central Ave. will consist of studio, one-, and two-bedroom homes affordable to households earning up to 80% of the area median income.
According to officials, the project will modernize the building with extensive upgrades while preserving its historic character. Improvements include new interior walls to create the residential apartments, new roofing, updated plumbing, masonry restoration, and the addition of energy-efficient, all-electric heating and cooling systems.
State financing includes $7.3 million from New York Homes and Community Renewal’s Small Buildings Participation Loan Program, which assists in financing buildings with between five and 50 units. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is facilitating the use of an estimated $4.2 million in federal and state historic tax credits. Additional financing includes a $5.3 million permanent loan from the Community Preservation Corp.