Historic Building at 97 Central Ave. to Feature 49 Residential Units with Ground-Floor Retail Space
Construction work has officially begun on a redevelopment project that will convert a former furniture showroom in Albany, New York, into affordable housing.
The project involves renovating the four-story Selfridge & Langford Building, located at 97 Central Ave., into 49 residential units, along with commercial space on the ground floor, according to state officials. The $18 million development will include studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments for households earning up to 80% of the area median income, which is currently $92,880 for a family of four in Albany.
Originally built in 1911, the Selfridge & Langford Building has served multiple purposes over the years. It first operated as a furniture showroom for John Selfridge and Edward Langford, before later being used as office space for several decades. Most recently, it housed the state’s Division of Parole from 1982 until 2021.
The building has remained vacant since 2021. Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized that the redevelopment will preserve the structure’s historic character while addressing the growing demand for housing.
State officials noted that the project is being funded through a combination of $7.3 million in state support, a $5.3 million loan from the Community Preservation Corporation, and $4.2 million in federal and state historic tax credits.
MLB Construction Services has been appointed as the contractor for the project. The renovation will include installing new interior walls to create apartments, replacing the roof, upgrading plumbing systems, restoring the building’s masonry, and adding energy-efficient, all-electric heating and cooling systems. Plans also include an indoor shared space and a fitness center for residents.
Construction is expected to be completed by 2027.
Local officials highlighted the importance of repurposing existing buildings to address housing shortages. Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy stated that projects like this help strengthen communities and provide more affordable living options for families.
The redevelopment comes at a time when Albany is facing a significant housing shortage. A 2022 report by the Regional Plan Association estimated that New York State needs to build 800,000 new housing units between 2022 and 2032 to meet demand. A city audit further revealed that Albany alone had a shortage of approximately 6,350 housing units as of December 2025.
According to the same audit, the city will require at least 1,664 additional units by 2030 to meet current housing needs. The shortage is largely attributed to limited new development in recent years.
Future housing demand in Albany is expected to come mainly from low-income renters, first-time homebuyers, and single-person households.
Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs described the project as a step in the right direction, emphasizing the need for diverse housing options across the city. She noted that preserving historic structures while meeting modern housing demands is essential for Albany’s growth.
This redevelopment is part of Governor Hochul’s broader $25 billion, five-year housing initiative aimed at creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes across New York State. So far, the plan has delivered approximately 2,300 units in Albany County, including 1,900 within the city itself.
Statewide, the initiative has already supported the development of around 80,000 affordable housing units.
Source: Original reporting by Khristopher J. Brooks, CoStar News.
