70 Mulberry Street, Chinatown rebuild starts at $184M, 8 stories
The city broke ground Nov. 9 on the $184M, eight-story rebuild of 70 Mulberry Street in Chinatown; DOB approved the 50,267 sq ft job in August.
- Source Briefing
- Public record
- Also reported by 6sqft
The city has begun rebuilding 70 Mulberry Street in Chinatown (Manhattan), nearly seven years after a January 2020 fire gutted the former school building. The project is now budgeted at $184M, up from the $170M committed in 2021, with completion targeted for 2030.
Why it matters
This is a public job run by the city’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) as owner of record. Per 6sqft, DDC is using a construction manager-build delivery method, which the agency had not previously used outside library projects and emergencies. Grimshaw Architects is the designer. 6sqft did not name a contractor, so we are not naming one.
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The building keeps its two-story historic facade and corner stair tower, and returns about 51,000 sq ft to five nonprofit tenants, including the Museum of Chinese in America and the Chinatown Manpower Project. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said “70 Mulberry Street captures the history and hopes of the Chinatown community.”
For contractors and subs, the signal is a long-duration, preservation-heavy package on a tight Lower Manhattan site, procured through the city rather than open bid on every trade.
The numbers
DOB NOW job M00953255-S1, filed July 10, 2024, lists DCAS as owner and classifies the work as ALT-CO, a new building with existing elements to remain. It shows the structure going from 5 stories and 74 ft to 8 stories and 118 ft, across 50,267 sq ft of floor area, with no dwelling units. The filing was approved August 18, 2026. Its listed initial cost is $2.7M, which reflects the earth work and foundation scope on that filing, not the full $184M program.
What’s next
Construction runs to 2030, three years past the 2027 date earlier coverage projected. Further DOB filings for superstructure and fit-out work would be the next signals to watch. For other Manhattan activity, see our New York market page.
Quick answers
- What is the latest on NYC Department of Design and Construction in New York?
- The city broke ground Nov. 9 on the $184M, eight-story rebuild of 70 Mulberry Street in Chinatown; DOB approved the 50,267 sq ft job in August.
- What are the key numbers for NYC Department of Design and Construction?
- project budget: $184M; stories: 8; DOB floor area: 50,267 sq ft; completion: 2030.
- Where does the information on NYC Department of Design and Construction come from?
- The story cites 6sqft and NYC Department of Buildings, DOB NOW.
On the record
DOB NOW filing M00953255-S1 for 70 Mulberry Street (block 200, lot 1): owner DCAS, job type ALT-CO new building with existing elements to remain, 5 stories to 8, height 74 ft to 118 ft, 50,267 sq ft, filed 2024-07-10, approved 2026-08-18
Public record · data.cityofnewyork.us
Also reported by
- 6sqftReconstruction of Chinatown's historic 70 Mulberry Street begins nearly seven years after fire
- NYC Department of Buildings, DOB NOWDOB NOW job filing M00953255-S1, 70 Mulberry Street