New York City is advancing its climate agenda with a new wave of developments that balance sustainable design, low-carbon materials, and energy innovation. Through the NYC Mass Timber Studio and Resilient Energy Studio—initiatives led by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) in partnership with Newlab—the city is backing a cohort of projects that aim to reshape its built environment and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
As part of the City’s Green Economy Action Plan, these studios provide technical assistance and regulatory guidance to help developers navigate complex building codes and safety standards. In doing so, they are helping to decarbonise construction and strengthen energy resilience across all five boroughs.
Among the projects is the New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island, which will become the city’s largest mass timber development. Spanning 140,000 square feet, the facility will include research labs, classrooms, and spaces dedicated to climate education and innovation. Wood Central understands that construction is expected to begin in 2026, with a public opening slated for fall 2029.
“Today’s announcement marks another milestone in our city’s commitment to building a thriving green economy, expanding opportunities for all New Yorkers, and leading by example as a global hub for urban sustainability,” said Clare Newman, president and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “We congratulate NYCEDC, DOB, and FDNY on this exciting new cohort—including the New York Climate Exchange—and we look forward to continued collaboration.” Andrew Winters, Director of Capital Projects at the Climate Exchange, credited the studio with accelerating the project. “It added momentum to our project on Governors Island and demonstrated what’s possible when city agencies work together to advance new and sustainable technologies in the built environment,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Staten Island, the Stapleton B4/B5 Residential project—announced by Mayor Eric Adams in May—will deliver approximately 500 housing units, both affordable and market-rate. As the city’s largest mass timber residential development, it represents a major step forward in sustainable housing. Councilmember Kamillah Hanks called it “a significant step forward in our North Shore Action Plan,” noting its alignment with workforce development efforts like YouthBuild.
Whilst the Bronx will see the construction of the Soundview Recreation Center, a 45,000-square-foot facility featuring mass timber structural elements. Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson praised the project’s inclusion, saying it reflects a commitment to “communities that have too often been left behind.”
Beyond these projects, several other developments are also moving forward:
- In Queens, Ganeinu Academy is undergoing a 20,000-square-foot expansion to repair damage from Hurricane Ida. The rebuild incorporates flood-resilient design to protect against future climate risks.
- In Brooklyn, 5 Timber Houses—five four-story homes built to Passive House standards and powered by geothermal energy—are being developed in Park Slope.
- In Prospect Park, the Shirley Chisholm Pavilion, a 1,200-square-foot open-air structure, will honour the legacy of the pioneering congresswoman.
- On Staten Island, the Dockbuilders Pier, a 3,100-square-foot facility, will support operations for the Staten Island Ferry.
Industry leaders have welcomed the City’s push toward sustainable construction, emphasising the Mass Timber Studio’s role in accelerating innovation and adoption. “WoodWorks is proud to partner with NYCEDC for the Mass Timber Design Studio to accelerate the adoption of mass timber products and projects,” said Jennifer Cover, president and CEO of WoodWorks. “The Studio aligns closely with our mission to promote efficient, sustainable, and forward-thinking mass timber and light-frame wood building solutions.”
Likewise, Cees de Jager, president and CEO of the Softwood Lumber Board, highlighted the broader potential of timber-based development. “Mass timber opens the door to innovative, efficient, and sustainable construction that meets today’s development needs, setting a higher standard for the future,” he said. Furthermore, Jesse Lazar, Executive Director of AIA New York, underscored the importance of material choices in shaping the city’s climate future. “Promoting climate-forward innovative solutions for building in NYC helps move our industry in the right direction,” he said, “encouraging the use of low-carbon construction materials and reducing embodied carbon.”
- To learn more about New York City’s Mass Timber Studio, click here for Wood Central’s special feature from October 2024. And to find out why a new planning rule (New York City’s Local Law 97 (LL97) could drive thousands of buildings to use mass timber, click here for Wood Central’s coverage from June 2025.
