This innovative new affordable mixed-use housing development in the South Bronx brings an unprecedented mix of 740 low-income apartments, new job opportunities, and a rich civic experience. The architects reimagine a former juvenile detention center for mixed commercial, education, wellness, light industrial, retail, parking and residential uses with plentiful open space and a new public plaza.
The project includes 170,000 square feet of light industrial business opportunities, a film production studio, community facilities, and ground-floor arts and retail spaces. Through a collaborative process involving a range of representative city leaders and agencies, the architects engaged in an inventive approach to creating better outcomes impacting thousands of city dwell-ers. The finished five-acre campus presents six distinct buildings defining central, publicly accessible open space, with commercial uses made accessible and visible.
The playful façade patterning and materials palette reference the surrounding architectural context. The project, budgeted at about $300 million, is a design collaboration between BLA and WXY architecture + urban design. Construction unfolds in three phases through 2024.
IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY
• Reflects community engagement in pre-design and planning
• Adds 200 permanent employment opportunities, new open space and affordable housing in an underserved neighborhood
• Supports community with small business incubator, co-working space, and large health-and-wellness center
• Creates new outdoor spaces for public use, enhancing quality of life
• Reduces energy use and emissions with sustainable design
