As the housing needs of New Yorkers continue to evolve, a powerful shift is reshaping the city’s rental landscape—and Albert Dweck, founder of Duke Properties, sees this transformation as a timely and encouraging development.
With Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Queens emerging as national leaders in apartment deliveries over the past decade, the data tells a compelling story: more people than ever are choosing vibrant, accessible neighborhoods outside of Manhattan—and the results are driving smart, sustainable growth.
A Decade of Smart Expansion
According to recent reports, Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Queens have added over 86,000 apartment units since 2014—accounting for more than half of all new residential deliveries in New York City. That figure not only places these boroughs among the top five U.S. submarkets for apartment growth, but also signals a broader trend in how renters view value, convenience, and lifestyle.
Affordability Without Sacrifice
While Manhattan continues to attract global attention and premium prices, many renters are realizing they can live large outside the core without compromising on quality. The numbers speak for themselves: rents in Brooklyn average $4,710, while Queens and Jersey City hover closer to $3,700—a savings of up to $1,500 compared to Manhattan’s least expensive areas.
“Affordability doesn’t mean giving up on lifestyle,” Dweck explains. “It means knowing where to look and having the vision to invest in places where people want to live, work, and grow.”
Strategic Growth With a Community Focus
Duke Properties has long championed the idea of building neighborhoods, not just buildings. For Dweck, the apartment surge in Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Queens represents a natural extension of that philosophy: developing in ways that strengthen communities, support long-term livability, and respect the pace of growth.
As commuter demand fuels continued interest in these outer-borough hubs, developers have an opportunity to prioritize thoughtful density, green spaces, and mixed-use integration—ensuring that residents don’t just find housing, but a real sense of home.
Challenges Present, But Opportunity Prevails
Despite their success, areas like Brooklyn and Queens still face logistical hurdles—namely, long commute times that can stretch beyond 45 minutes. But as infrastructure improves and work-from-home flexibility continues, these challenges are becoming less of a deterrent and more of a design opportunity.
Beyond Manhattan: A Decade of Promise Ahead
Looking forward, Duke Properties sees the current momentum as just the beginning. With urban affordability remaining a top concern nationwide, Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Queens are poised to lead the next wave of urban revitalization—combining scalability with character in ways that core Manhattan simply can’t.
From workforce housing to luxury rentals, from long-term tenants to first-time New Yorkers, Albert Dweck and Duke Properties remain committed to creating value, opportunity, and community in every project they touch—especially in the boroughs that represent the new frontier of urban living.