New York City, New York story
A Foundation for Chinatown
In the early 1970s, organizers in Chinatown fought for a place where their community could truly put down roots. Their resilience paid off when they secured public support through…
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In the early 1970s, organizers in Chinatown fought for a place where their community could truly put down roots. Their resilience paid off when they secured public support through the Mitchell-Lama Housing Program to build something unprecedented. In 1975, Confucius Plaza rose as a 44-story brown brick tower, becoming the first major publicly funded housing project built almost exclusively for Chinese Americans.
With 762 apartments, it wasn't just a building; it was a statement of permanence and belonging in a city that often pushed immigrant communities to the margins. Today, the tower remains a significant landmark in Chinatown history, standing tall at the intersection of Bowery, Doyers, and Division Streets as a testament to the power of community organizing.
Updated June 2026