Big things are developing in New Paltz. Over a dozen major projects were recently completed, are under construction, or are in the planning and approval stages. It’s a combination of much-needed housing (especially for students), tourist spots and infrastructure for light industry and emergency services.
There are so many ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings and public hearings to keep track of, it can be difficult to parse the cacophony of construction into a coherent bird’s-eye-view. Let’s take a moment to review all the new developments that have come or are coming to New Paltz (pending approval, of course).
North Chestnut corridor
As will be obvious to any passerby, much of the development is taking place on North Chestnut Street, essentially the gateway to New Paltz when bound there from Kingston and points north. That gateway is becoming much grander thanks to a host of housing developments, which are hard to imagine being more in demand.
Zero Place (87 N. Chestnut) — Completed in 2022, this net-zero-energy mixed-use building is a four-story flagship for renewable energy, originally built as 46 apartments atop roughly 8,000 square feet of retail space. Its many eco-friendly — and budget-friendly — utility systems are a testament to the cutting edge of green energy technology.
The more recent development? In March 2025, owners began converting the apartments into condominiums for sale. The thing is, these units were regulated by the Village of New Paltz’s affordable housing law. The Affordable Housing Board questioned how income-qualified tenants would obtain mortgages and whether the units would remain affordable; the developer said regulated tenants could remain as renters if they continue to qualify and pay. Otherwise, the condos will be for sale.
Today, Zero Place’s website indicates that residential units are fully rented. They’re seeking tenants for the first-floor commercial space, so there’s still potential for more development here.
Trail Link Collective (137 & 145 N. Chestnut) — Two new mixed-use buildings are rising just steps from the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, seeking to house renters in 68 market-rate apartments. The new structure will also include the ever-popular ground-floor commercial space concept. They’re also planning a courtyard, bike room, lounge, fitness area and in-unit laundry.
Construction is underway, early 2026 has been hinted at for its potential opening date, though nothing is official. Based on market trends, one might expect this glass castle to fill up with haste.
TBA (Westview Development) 147-151 N. Chestnut St. — A larger companion mixed-use proposal by Westview Development, LLC would merge 147–149 and 151 N. Chestnut into a single ~4.74-acre lot and construct a massive ~131,500 square-foot building with approximately 124 apartments and roughly 8,700 square feet of commercial space. The living spaces would be a mix of market-rate and affordable units.
What’s holding it up? The developer applied for financial assistance and tax exemptions from the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency (UCIDA), an organization that seeks to achieve economic development by offering financial enticements. This is common practice for many large development projects. This time, the New Paltz village board said “not so fast”, and opposed any tax exemption until a more formal agreement was reached with regard to what the developers would provide in exchange.
The project is also still undergoing other reviews as officials scrutinize size, parking, traffic and stormwater impacts, leaving its construction timeline uncertain until both the financing and site-plan issues are resolved.
Student housing in New Paltz
SUNY New Paltz’s decision to grow enrollment and expand programs has collided with a local housing market that could charitably be described as “tight”. Students recently celebrated a substantial Student Union overhaul and other modest campus upgrades, but housing remains of chief concern for matriculating renters.
Thankfully, the university finished renovations on Mohonk Hall in September, adding nearly 70 beds. This follows a successful on-campus campaign to add beds to Awosting Hall.
Off campus, the proposed New Paltz Apartments was marketed chiefly to students, boasting a whopping 612 beds, but since September 15 it remains stalled after the town board rejected annexation needed for village water and sewer. Village trustees had earlier voted to approve annexation and have said they’ll ask a court to resolve the split, with developers covering legal fees. Until this issue is resolved, it’s unclear how the project moves forward.
The 200-unit complex is planned for a site just south of the SUNY campus and would include a clubhouse, pool, fitness center and nature trail, with an additional 30 apartments set aside as affordable under village law. No UCIDA tax relief has been sought for this project to date.
Senior housing in New Paltz
With so many young adults running around the village, Harmony Hall is a 51-unit attempt to not forget about our elders. The income-restricted rental community for ages 62 and up will be located at 52–54 S. Manheim Blvd (Route 32), a close distance to bus service. It’s currently wrapping up construction.
Applications opened September 24; county officials said the project was targeting initial occupancy by fall 2025. As of today, leasing continues with move-ins expected to begin late 2025 on a rolling basis.
Other housing in New Paltz
Further greening the housing scene, a six-unit, all-electric townhome/condo project at 30–32 Cooper Street — led by developer David Shepler (a partner in Zero Place) — is designed to be similarly fossil-fuel-free. The team recently asked to subdivide the single condominium map into fee-simple town lots, which requires zoning relief.
The units are already under construction; regulatory focus has shifted to approving the subdivision and related variances so each home can be deeded individually. If subdivision variances are granted this fall, closings could follow upon issuance of individual certificates of occupancy in 2026.
Tourist attractions — new and under development
New Paltz Way (11 Water St.) — A 28-room boutique hotel with a self-guided wellness center, coffee bar, bike amenities, and a living roof is under construction on the Wallkill and adjacent to the rail trail. The Ulster County IDA unanimously approved a package of tax incentives valued at about $1.06 million in February 2025; co-developers are Jesse Halliburton and Ryan Giuliani (Way Hospitality), whose portfolio includes Woodstock Way.
Demolition of the former factory structure occurred in February/March 2025; framing and enclosure progressed through summer. The project’s website and developer materials advertise “Opening Spring 2026.” The brand plan emphasizes low-key, nature-forward design that visually breaks down massing, integrates solar on the living roof, and connects guests to the Market, the trail network, and Mohonk Preserve.
Huguenot Street Visitor/Education Center — Historic Huguenot Street (HHS) has proposed a roughly 7,400-square-foot visitor/education center within the National Historic Landmark district, with program space that includes a meeting room, classroom, exhibit/storage areas, a gift shop, accessible restrooms, and an outdoor amphitheater. The application drew significant public scrutiny in 2024–25 over size, design, archaeological impacts, and parking; in September, planning board leadership said HHS asked to be removed from the agenda while it develops changes, and the public hearing would likely remain open during that revision period. As of now, no construction timetable has been set; the project will return for further review by the planning board and Historic Preservation Commission once revised plans are submitted. Recent iterations discussed by the applicant reduced proposed parking from more than 100 spaces to about 80 spaces.
Henry W. Dubois Greenway Connector — This ~1.7-mile shared-use path segment, officially opened on June 15, 2025 with a community ribbon-cutting and walk/ride. The connector stitches the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, closing a major gap and enabling largely car-free travel through the village and beyond as part of the Empire State Trail network.
The project delivers a protected east-west spine on H.W. Dubois Drive, addressing a well-documented safety/continuity need for cyclists and pedestrians. Parks & Trails New York supported launch events and helmet distribution. Early operations included punch-list and maintenance coordination by the town and village.
New Paltz industrial and emergency infrastructure
New Paltz Firehouse (117 Henry W. Dubois Drive) – New York’s first net-zero energy fire station features all-electric systems, energy-efficient walls, and a rooftop solar array. Funded in part by the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery to strengthen emergency infrastructure, the project took several years to complete. A public ribbon-cutting on September 21, marked its official opening. The facility includes radiant floors, a drive-through bay, indoor training space, and future battery storage capacity. It also serves as an emergency operations center.
New Paltz Industry Hub (53 North Ohioville Rd.) — A proposed multi-building light-industrial and maker campus east of the village aims to provide flexible space for small manufacturers, craft food and beverage producers, labs, and offices, along with infrastructure upgrades. First introduced in 2021 and updated in 2024 in response to planning board input, the project remains under town review. If approved, it could broaden the local tax base, support SUNY-affiliated entrepreneurship, and offer workspace for production businesses not suited to Main Street, potentially reducing out-of-town commuting. Final timing depends on environmental and site plan approvals.
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