NYC’s First Net Zero Community Brings Housing to Storm-Ravaged Rockaways

Arverne East, a transformative 116-acre oceanfront initiative on the Rockaway Peninsula, has officially broken ground, set to become New York City’s first and largest net-zero carbon community. Developed by L+M Development Partners, The Bluestone Organization, and Triangle Equities, the $1 billion project will feature 1,656 mixed-income affordable homes designed to Passive House standards, using geothermal heating and cooling, solar power, and other cutting-edge sustainability solutions to achieve net-zero carbon performance. In addition to housing, the development will include 35 acres of restored natural preserve, retail and commercial spaces, an urban farm, and community-centered amenities—all envisioned to foster long-term climate and economic resilience.

Anchored between the Edgemere and Arverne neighborhoods, the project incorporates historic storm-proofing and sustainable infrastructure, with sections of the site elevated 16 feet above flood levels and extensive stormwater management systems. These geotechnical and resilient design measures aim to protect residents from future climate events and reduce environmental impact through smart, energy-efficient materials and methods.

Arverne East goes beyond green development by integrating equity and community uplift. More than 1,300 homes will be allocated for low-, moderate-, and formerly homeless households, and the master plan includes educational and entrepreneurial support programs to stimulate local economic growth. As it rolls out over the next decade, the project intends to serve as a bold blueprint for combining sustainable building with social justice in historically underserved coastal areas.