New York City, New York story
A Legacy of Community in Chinatown
In the heart of Chinatown, the Confucius Plaza Apartments stand as a 44-story brown brick tower. Built in 1975, this was the first major publicly funded housing project designed a…
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In the heart of Chinatown, the Confucius Plaza Apartments stand as a 44-story brown brick tower. Built in 1975, this was the first major publicly funded housing project designed almost exclusively for Chinese Americans. Organizers spent years securing support through the Mitchell-Lama Housing Program to ensure neighborhood residents had affordable places to live.
At the intersection of Bowery and Division Street, the associated statue of Confucius keeps watch over the plaza. It's more than just a residence; it's a landmark of community resilience and a key piece of Chinatown's history.
Updated June 2026