The History of Our Community
A look back at how our community and its spaces came to life.
1955
The Seward Park Urban Renewal Area (SPURA) is officially designated, clearing out many densely packed tenement buildings to make way for redevelopment. This marks the beginning of a major transformation from old, overcrowded tenements to a modern cooperative housing development.
1959
Construction starts on Building 1. St Mary's Church, serving the neighborhood since ____ is seen peeking out in the background.
1960
1995
For the first time in the cooperative’s history, the Annual Meeting was held without its founder and President, Abraham E. Kazan, who had taken a leave of absence due to illness. The transition marked a pivotal moment for the community, but the financial report from that year reveals that the challenges of running a co-op haven't changed much in 60 years.
The Board faced a relatable struggle: a net operating loss of $127,609 and rising maintenance costs, proving that budget deficits are not a modern invention. However, the revenue streams were distinctly of their time. While the co-op grappled with $32,000 in electricity bills , it also reported income you certainly won't see on a 2025 balance sheet: $530 collected in "Milk Collection Fees" and over $1,000 in "Television Antenna Fees".
Read the full 1965 Annual Meeting Report on the Resources page.
1999
A major crisis strikes when the co-op’s 418-car garage collapses, triggering a long legal battle with the insurer. habitatmag.com Seward Park wins a $12 million judgment against its insurer, a turning point in its financial stability and governance.
2010
The Seward Park Urban Renewal Area (SPURA) is officially designated, clearing out many densely packed tenement buildings to make way for redevelopment. This marks the beginning of a major transformation from old, overcrowded tenements to a modern cooperative housing development.
1999
A major crisis strikes when the co-op’s 418-car garage collapses, triggering a long legal battle with the insurer. habitatmag.com Seward Park wins a $12 million judgment against its insurer, a turning point in its financial stability and governance.
2028
A major crisis strikes when the co-op’s 418-car garage collapses, triggering a long legal battle with the insurer. habitatmag.com
Seward Park wins a $12 million judgment against its insurer, a turning point in its financial stability and governance.
1955
The Seward Park Urban Renewal Area (SPURA) is officially designated, clearing out many densely packed tenement buildings to make way for redevelopment. This marks the beginning of a major transformation from old, overcrowded tenements to a modern cooperative housing development.
1959
Construction of the Seward Park Co-op begins, backed by the United Housing Foundation and unions to provide affordable, working-class housing. Union-sponsored design includes four 20-storey buildings, angled to maximize light and green space for residents.
1960
Seward Park Housing Corporation opens its four towers, housing roughly 1,728 families in what becomes part of “Co-op Village.
Lobbies in the buildings are decorated with Hugo Gellert murals, celebrating labor leaders and progressive icons—a nod to the co-op’s collectivist roots.
1995
Shareholders pass a “Plan of Reconstitution” to convert Seward Park from a limited-equity co-op into a full-equity (market-rate) cooperative. Over the next five years, price ceilings are gradually lifted, allowing units to be sold at market value for the first time.
1999
A major crisis strikes when the co-op’s 418-car garage collapses, triggering a long legal battle with the insurer. habitatmag.com Seward Park wins a $12 million judgment against its insurer, a turning point in its financial stability and governance.
2010
The Seward Park Urban Renewal Area (SPURA) is officially designated, clearing out many densely packed tenement buildings to make way for redevelopment. This marks the beginning of a major transformation from old, overcrowded tenements to a modern cooperative housing development.
2028
A major crisis strikes when the co-op’s 418-car garage collapses, triggering a long legal battle with the insurer. habitatmag.com
Seward Park wins a $12 million judgment against its insurer, a turning point in its financial stability and governance.
Seward Park Cooperative 415 Grand St, New York, NY 10002, United States © 2025 All rights reserved.
Seward Park Cooperative 415 Grand St, New York, NY 10002, United States © 2025 All rights reserved.
Seward Park Cooperative 415 Grand St, New York, NY 10002, United States © 2025 All rights reserved.
Seward Park Cooperative 415 Grand St, New York, NY 10002, United States © 2025 All rights reserved.
Seward Park Cooperative 415 Grand St, New York, NY 10002, United States © 2025 All rights reserved.