In November 2018, Empire State Development and NYS Homes and Community Renewal awarded the team of Apex, RiseBoro, L+M, and S:US with the designation to develop the former Brooklyn Developmental Center under Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Vital Brooklyn initiative for community development and wellness.

Located on a 28-acre site in the Spring Creek section of East New York, the BDC Redevelopment will deliver a mixed-use development of more than 2,400 units of affordable and supportive housing, 15,000 SF of healthcare space for One Brooklyn Health, ample open space, and significant commercial and community facility space to serve the neighborhood. Inspired by Blue Zones around the world, the BDC Redevelopment draws lessons from naturally occurring communities of health and longevity to break down barriers to health and wellbeing. By integrating affordable housing with open space and fitness opportunities, healthy food retail, urban agriculture, social enterprises focused on economic empowerment, access to healthcare, and community-wide programming, the BDC redevelopment aims to address the social determinants of health to improve the greater wellbeing of Brooklyn residents.