Construction has formally started on the new Marlboro Agricultural Education Center at New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) Marlboro Houses in Brooklyn, US. 

The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by NYC mayor Eric Adams and other senior administration officials. 

The centre will be constructed on West 11th Street between Avenue W and Avenue X. 

It has been designed by Studio Gang while Consigli Construction is responsible for the building's construction. 

Studio Gang founding partner Jeanne Gang said: “We’re proud to have partnered with the City of New York to design a building that empowers and provides for its neighbourhood through urban agriculture. 

“I am hopeful that the Marlborough Agricultural Education Center will serve as a model for how our cities can address food insecurity, promote access to healthy food, and ultimately increase equity.”  

A design-build project delivery method is being employed to accelerate construction, which is expected to be completed by mid-2025. 

Spanning 9,900ft², the centre will feature a rooftop greenhouse and a system combining fish raising and plant cultivation.  

The facility will also offer an indoor market, a teaching kitchen for cooking classes, and a multipurpose room for job training and community programmes. 

Consigli Construction NYC Metro regional director Laura Bush said: “The new Marlboro Agricultural Education Center will provide Brooklyn residents and the New York City Housing Authority with a sustainable greenhouse and innovative educational facility, and we are proud to partner with the Adams administration and the City of New York to deliver this critically important resource.” 

Prioritising sustainability, the project will select materials for durability and minimal maintenance over a projected 60-year lifespan.  

The building will also adhere to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards and will be elevated to mitigate flood risks, enhance natural lighting, and provide scenic views.