Affordable housing options are available but often overlooked in local communities.
In 1949, Betty Friedan moved into a garden apartment in Queens, New York, where she later characterized her time there as profoundly joyful. While Friedan would rise to prominence for her critical analysis of women’s roles in post-World War II America, her early experiences in Parkway Village contributed to a fondness for this style of housing, which resonated with many Americans at the time.
Garden apartments, characterized by their two- or three-story structures surrounding green courtyards and lawns, emerged as a viable housing solution for families with modest incomes during the mid-20th century. This architectural model, which remains relevant today amidst a worsening housing crisis in New York and across the United States, has largely gone unrecognized by policymakers and architects despite its historical significance.
The concept of garden apartments draws inspiration from the “garden cities” of early 20th century England, as well as government housing initiatives in cities such as Vienna and Berlin. American housing reformers, influenced by these international examples, sought to develop communities that offered greenery, ample light, ventilation, and safe play areas for families. One of the first successful incarnations of this vision, Sunnyside Gardens in Queens, built in the 1920s, has since been designated as a historical district due to its lasting impact on urban housing.
The mass production of garden apartments accelerated during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of the New Deal, which aimed to stimulate the economy and provide housing solutions for those in need. The federal government championed this architectural style, due in part to its relatively low cost and rapid construction times, marking a significant improvement over the dilapidated tenements and makeshift homes that dominated the urban landscape.
Although some garden apartments were designated as public housing, most were developed by private entities with substantial government support. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) played a crucial role by guaranteeing mortgages for construction, which mitigated financial risks for lenders and lowered interest rates for borrowers.
By the late 1930s, distinct design elements had crystallized: simple brick buildings arranged around shared outdoor spaces, promoting community living while minimizing automobile congestion on-site. Each unit benefitted from natural light, cross-ventilation, and modern amenities, fostering a sense of collective identity among residents.
The construction of garden apartments saw a resurgence following World War II to address the housing needs of returning veterans. In Queens alone, over 23,000 new accommodations were established in the decade after the war, bolstered by federal guarantees and state incentives for cooperatives.
While the emergence of suburban single-family homes eventually shifted some demand away from garden apartments, these multi-family units provided an attractive alternative for families wishing to remain in urban settings without the financial burden of homeownership.
The plight of housing insecurity today calls for innovative solutions, and garden apartments serve as a historical model illustrating how efficient, affordable housing can be achieved through concerted political action and public-private partnership. As urban centers grapple with housing shortages, revisiting the principles underlying garden apartment design could inform contemporary approaches to creating diverse, inclusive, and accessible residential communities.
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