The site formerly consisted of city blocks of tenements which were demolished via slum clearance, beginning in 1957.[4]
Manhattanville Houses were completed June 30, 1961[3] at a cost of $24 million.[citation needed] The project was designed by modernist architect William Lescaze in the "tower in the park" concept in vogue during the mid-20th century which emphasized view corridors that bring air and light to housing residents.[5]
Safety quickly began to decline in the development and tenants began to organize and patrol the lobbies.[6] In 1962, NYCHA added six new guards to patrol the development.[7]
On June 4, 2014, the NYPD made the largest gang bust in New York history, arresting 103 individuals of gangs at the Manhattanville and Grant Houses with extensive help from the Manhattan District Attorney, Cyrus R. Vance Jr.[8][9] 95 of the 103 people arrested charged took plea deals.[10] Since the raid, shootings have declined 34 percent but neighborhood residents and gang policing experts feel that the sweep didn't reduce gang crime or gang affiliation and anticipate more violence, citing historic tensions between the developments and institutionalized racism as motivations behind the bust.[10][11]
