In Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a historic jazz club has quietly transformed into a modern co-living space. Once known as the Kingston Lounge, a popular local hangout, the site is now Crown 120, a 19-unit co-living building where rooms start at just 74 square feet, renting for nearly $1,900 a month.
The developers, Cohabs, market the building as offering “genuine Brooklyn vibes” in a neighborhood “full of local character.”
Longtime locals, however, see the change as more than a simple renovation. For them, it marks another chapter of gentrification and the erasure of cultural history.
When Cohabs first introduced the project in May 2023, some community members were skeptical. They emphasized that the neighborhood’s history isn’t just about buildings—it’s about the people who shaped them.
Understanding Co-Living Housing
Co-living works much like a college dormitory: residents share bathrooms, kitchens, and common areas. While newcomers are drawn to its social atmosphere, flexible leases, and bundled rent, established residents question the long-term effects on neighborhood stability.
Despite opposition, Crown 120 received approval. Its opening reflects a broader trend: co-living spaces are spreading rapidly across New York City, appealing mainly to younger renters, including millennials and Gen Z. These developments are increasingly moving into traditionally working-class areas like Crown Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Bushwick, causing concern among residents who worry about rising rents and displacement.
Brooklyn Co-Living: A Community for Young Professionals
Cohabs frames these buildings as places to connect and feel safe in a bustling city. Since entering New York, the company has opened 23 such houses, many equipped with amenities like gyms and movie rooms. Most residents are young professionals from overseas, seeking a fresh start in New York.
Gabriela Caribe, 25, who works in international affairs, has lived in a Cohabs building for nearly two years. Originally from Brazil, she extended her New York assignment after initially arriving for six months. She finds the co-living environment welcoming and communal, saying it makes her feel at home and encouraged her to stay in the city.
However, these benefits come at a cost. Some rooms at Cohabs buildings exceed $2,400 per month. The company positions its housing as not just a place to live but an experience in “up-and-coming” neighborhoods.
Local officials see a different story. They argue that such developments accelerate gentrification and disrupt long-standing communities. Many co-living residents stay only briefly—on average less than a year—limiting their ties to the neighborhood.
Real estate experts note that converting single- and two-family homes into dense co-living units can push up rents, making the area less affordable for long-term residents. Neighborhoods like Crown Heights, Bushwick, and Bedford-Stuyvesant are increasingly desirable, and the trend suggests gentrification is advancing quickly.
Community members have expressed concern that the influx of short-term residents is pricing out those who have lived in these neighborhoods for decades. Some worry that the social fabric of the area is being replaced with transient populations who are not invested in the community.
Cohabs’ management states that they consult with local neighborhoods before opening new buildings and try to promote local businesses to residents. Still, some tenants acknowledge that while co-living fosters community among its residents, it can feel isolated from the surrounding neighborhood.
NYC Housing Market Challenges
New York’s housing market is under pressure. Even with 60,000 new units added over two years, the city struggles to meet the needs of roughly 275,000 new households. Vacancy rates have dropped to 1.4%, the lowest in more than five decades.
The surge in co-living has sparked calls for stronger regulations to prevent mismanagement and ensure fair treatment of tenants. Experts warn that without oversight, rapid expansion could lead to abuse and instability in the housing market.
Author Profile
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The writer is a real estate journalist specializing in all types of New York City properties, including luxury residences, commercial spaces, and homes.
He also writes humorous articles about real estate, investors, and realtors.
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