The Archdiocese of New York’s former headquarters at 1011 First Avenue will soon serve New Yorkers in a new way: as 422 new homes, with at least 25% of the units committed as permanently affordable housing for working families.

After more than 50 years on First Avenue, the archdiocese moved closer to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the heart of Catholic life in New York, in June. This transition better aligns the archdiocese’s physical presence with its pastoral mission while honoring its ongoing commitment to responsible stewardship of its resources.

The building’s transformation from office space into housing was made possible by New York City’s historic “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” zoning changes, approved in late 2024. These zoning reforms specifically encourage the conversion of unused office spaces into homes to address the residential property shortage, creating much-needed housing in a neighborhood where families want to live.

Vanbarton Group, which has proven experience converting office buildings into quality residential communities, will handle the conversion.

The archdiocese’s move to a more efficient workspace at 488 Madison Avenue enhances its ability to support 271 parishes, 148 Catholic schools, and over 400,000 people served through Catholic Charities. The new space allows resources to be directed more intentionally toward serving 2.5 million Catholics.

The agreement between the archdiocese and Vanbarton Group demonstrates how thoughtful planning can serve both the Church’s mission and New Yorkers’ needs, particularly as the city tackles the shortage of affordable housing that affects numerous families.