A rehabbed former college campus in Brooklyn, New York, is in the midst of an incredible metamorphosis. It is currently a quirky residential complex, The Hartby. The historic seven-story structure that previously housed St. John’s College is now an anchor with 205 luxury apartments. These consist of a mix of one-bedroom, studio, and two-bedroom units. Photo via Wikipedia The Hartby, at the corner of Hart Street and Willoughby Avenue. The Fort Wayne division has done a great job of both preserving the rich history of the area and creating affordable housing in a quickly gentrifying neighborhood.
The Hartby features 147 one-bedroom apartments, 48 studios and 10 two-bedroom flats. The developers have been conscientious about maintaining the college’s classical architecture. The most interesting aspects include original features like exposed brick walls and a window that was once part of the school’s chapel. That mixture of the old and the new is just part of what gives the complex its distinctive charm.
Leasing for The Hartby started in April of 2024. The property has been leased to an occupancy of about 50%, and only about 70% of the units have been leased to civilian use. Of the 205 apartments total, 62 units are reserved as affordable apartments. These units have market rate monthly rents between $2,495 and $3,939. The rest of the available units skew higher in price, from $3,130 to $6,950/month.
The once crumbling Hartley College has been reimagined from a forgotten academic hub into an exciting communal home. This amazing story is a testament to what vision and determination can achieve. Matt Linde, one of the developers, recalled what the building was like before renovations got underway.
“I think it looked like a great place to shoot a horror movie. Paint was chipping off the walls. Holes everywhere. Debris all over the floor, birds flying through it. It was clearly a severely neglected asset.” – Matt Linde
Linde saw promise in the setup. He reflected on the building’s architectural splendor and the way it motivated the design team.
“Combine that with the beautiful bones of this building, amazing high ceilings, amazing arch windows, it wasn’t difficult to see the vision that you could take this building and turn it into something beautiful.” – Matt Linde
With respect to the advancement of civil rights, the project definitely breathes new life into the physical structure. It produces revenue for the local church that originally owned it. Udi Kore, another developer involved in the project, emphasized the importance of maintaining the building’s original elements while adapting it for contemporary use.
“It was very important for the church to keep the original elements of this structure, but find a way to convert it to a better use that will create some sort of income for the church.” – Udi Kore
The community’s response to The Hartby has been incredibly positive. Anyone who remembers the school in its rotting, crumbling, boarded-up state has been amazed by its revival. Kore offered a unique perspective on what it was like for former community members to return and see the new space reclaimed.
“I think they were a little bit in awe when they came in here because they’ve seen it in disrepair for so many years. They really felt like we did what we said we were going to do, which is to preserve as much of it as possible so it will never be forgotten. I think it’s one of those landmarks that will hopefully be part of Brooklyn forever.” – Udi Kore
Additionally, the Hartby has a massive annual property tax bill—about $700,000 annually. This investment is more than an investment in housing overall—it’s an investment in Brooklyn’s commitment to preserving history. The project fits into national and local initiatives to tackle the affordable housing crisis while creating and improving equitable community spaces.