Research suggests the Webster Apartments, a century-old women’s-only residence, has relocated to Downtown Brooklyn.
It seems likely this move addresses NYC’s housing shortage, offering affordable options for female students and professionals.
The evidence leans toward its significance as one of the last such residences, continuing a historical tradition.
The Webster Apartments, a nonprofit dedicated to housing women, sold its Manhattan building in 2023 and reopened in May 2025 at 229 Duffield Street, Brooklyn, continuing its mission.
It offers stas from four weeks to five years, with rates starting at $2,000 for a shared room and $2,800 for a studio, providing a safe and supportive environment.
This relocation is notable as women’s-only residences, once common in the early 20th century, have largely disappeared, making the Webster Apartments a rare and vital resource in NYC.
This analysis explores the recent relocation of one of New York City’s last women’s-only residences, the Webster Apartments, to Downtown Brooklyn, a move that occurred in May 2025. This century-old nonprofit, dedicated to housing female students, interns, and working women, has found a new home at 229 Duffield Street, Brooklyn, after selling its aging Manhattan building in 2023. This report synthesizes information from recent news articles, the organization’s official website, and historical context to provide a detailed understanding of the significance and implications of this move, especially in the context of New York City’s ongoing housing challenges.
The Webster Apartments is a century-old nonprofit organization that has historically provided housing for women, particularly targeting students, interns, and working professionals. It is one of the last vestiges of a once-common type of housing in New York City—women’s-only residences—that proliferated in the early 20th century but has largely disappeared as societal norms evolved. Historical articles, such as one from the New York Historical Society, note that these residences emerged to meet the housing needs of single working women during the industrial boom, offering safe and affordable options in urban settings
. By 2025, such residences are rare, making the Webster Apartments a significant cultural and social institution.
The organization’s mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and affordable living environment, catering to short-term and long-term needs. Its previous location was on the west side of Manhattan, but due to the sale of that building in 2023 for $52.5 million to Educational Housing Services, it needed to find a new home
.
The Webster Apartments reopened in a new location at 229 Duffield Street, Brooklyn, in May 2025, just in time for the intern season, as noted in a recent Yahoo Finance article
.
The relocation was necessitated by the sale of the Manhattan building, which was aging and likely required significant maintenance. The new Brooklyn location allows the Webster Apartments to continue its mission without interruption, offering a fresh start in a dynamic urban area. The address, 229 Duffield Street, is confirmed by both the official website and Google Maps, ensuring its accessibility and prominence in the neighborhood.
The Webster Apartments cater to a specific demographic: female students, interns, and working women, with stays available from as little as four weeks to as long as five years, providing flexibility for short-term and long-term residents. Monthly rates start at $2,000 for a shared room and $2,800 for a studio, with discounts available for early signees, making it a relatively affordable option in a city grappling with a deep housing shortage. The Yahoo Finance article notes that more than half of NYC households are rent-burdened, highlighting the importance of such initiatives
.
Testimonials on the official website praise the cleanliness, security, and convenience of the accommodations, with one resident noting, “I came here in July 2021 just so I could have a safe place to stay while I looked for a more permanent apartment,” and another appreciating the “amazing food” and responsive staff
. These reviews underscore the residence’s role as a supportive environment, particularly for women new to the city, such as interns and students.
The relocation is significant not only for its continuation of a rare housing model but also for its historical resonance. Women’s-only residences were popular in the early 20th century, as detailed in historical articles, to provide safe lodging for single working women in urban areas
. However, as society modernized, many such residences closed, and by 2025, the Webster Apartments are among the last of their kind in NYC. This makes their persistence and adaptation to a new location a notable effort to preserve a piece of social history while addressing contemporary housing needs.
The move to Brooklyn also aligns with the city’s ongoing housing crisis, offering a solution for women seeking affordable and safe accommodations. The Yahoo Finance article emphasizes that the reopening “offers a relatively affordable option for students and professionals,” which is crucial in a market where rent burdens are high
To better understand the scope of this relocation, consider the following table comparing key aspects of the Webster Apartments before and after the move:
Aspect | Previous Location (Manhattan) | New Location (Downtown Brooklyn) |
---|---|---|
Address | West side of Manhattan, exact address not specified | 229 Duffield Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 |
Status | Sold in 2023 for $52.5 million, now coed student housing | Reopened in May 2025, remains women’s-only |
Housing Type | Century-old building, aging infrastructure | Modern, convenient, vibrant neighborhood |
Rates (Starting) | Not specified in recent data, likely similar range | $2,000 for shared room, $2,800 for studio |
Stay Duration | Short-term and long-term, up to 5 years | Short-term (4 weeks) to 5 years |
Significance | One of the last women’s-only residences | Continues historical mission, addresses housing shortage |
This table highlights the continuity of the mission while noting the shift to a new, potentially more accessible location.
The relocation of the Webster Apartments to Brooklyn has several implications. For residents, it offers continued access to affordable, women’s-only housing in a convenient location, potentially attracting more interns and students during peak seasons. For the city, it contributes to alleviating the housing shortage, particularly for a vulnerable demographic. The move also preserves a historical model of housing that is increasingly rare, ensuring that women have safe and supportive options in a modern urban context.
However, there may be challenges, such as ensuring the new location meets the needs of residents and maintaining affordability in a competitive market. The Yahoo Finance article suggests that the discounts for early signees could help, but ongoing efforts will be needed to sustain the model
In summary, the Webster Apartments, one of New York City’s last women’s-only residences, has found a new home in Downtown Brooklyn at 229 Duffield Street, reopening in May 2025 after selling its Manhattan building in 2023. This century-old nonprofit continues to offer affordable housing for female students, interns, and working women, with rates starting at $2,000 for a shared room and $2,800 for a studio, catering to stays from four weeks to five years. The relocation is significant as it preserves a rare historical housing model while addressing NYC’s housing shortage, providing a safe and supportive environment in a convenient and vibrant neighborhood.
One of New York City’s last women’s-only residences finds a new home in Brooklyn
Century-Old Women's Residence The Webster Apartments Sold for $52.5 Million
One of New York City’s last women-only apartment buildings sells for $52M | Multifamily Dive
What it’s like to live in women’s-only housing in NYC - Curbed NY