9 affordable housing projects that will transform the South Bronx

Earlier today, the New York Times published a feature chronicling the plethora of affordable housing developments spreading through the South Bronx and in turn hoping to transform several neighborhoods in the area. At present there are about 5,000 affordable apartments in various stages of development in the Bronx, according to the Times.

With the Bronx’s population steadily increasing—it went from 1.2 million in 1990 to 1.46 million in 2015—the city is also pushing developers to build affordable projects in the borough. As the Times notes, the city will often give away pieces of land for such development, offer great tax incentives, and push for developments to stay affordable longer.

Here’s a breakdown of all the affordable developments the Times highlighted and some more:

• Crossroads Plaza

This three-building Douglas Development-led project is being built in three phases. The first wrapped up in 2015 and brought 126 rentals to 535 Union Street. Up next are a rental at 501 Southern Boulevard, set to open this month, and the final building at 828 East 149th Street, is on schedule to wrap up by the end of the year. The developers are also planning to create a 20,000-square-foot public plaza for the overall development.

• The Peninsula

WXY architecture + urban design & Body Lawson Associates

That’s what developers Gilbane Development Company, the Hudson Companies, and Mutual Housing Association of New York are calling their transformation of the Spofford Juvenile Detention Center in Hunts Point. The project will see the creation of 740 apartments, retail locations for several Bronx-based businesses, and 52,000 square feet of open and recreational space, among other features.

• 425 Grand Concourse

Rendering Courtesy of the Development Team/Dattner Architects.

This former public school building in Mott Haven will soon be home to the city’s largest passive residential building. Trinity Financial and MBD Community Housing Corporation won a Request for Proposals (RFP) to transform this site, and the new 24-story building here will bring 241 apartments to the neighborhood. There will also be space for a supermarket, social services, a cultural center, and a charter school.

• La Central

FXFOWLE Architects

This massive residential project, the largest approved since Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing went into effect, will bring 992 apartments to Melrose with apartments starting at $640/month. The rentals will be spread out over five buildings and the overall project will also bring with it a Y.M.C.A., a rooftop farm, a skate park, and an observatory for the Bronx High School of Science.

• Elton Crossing

Prolific affordable housing developer, Phipps Houses is behind this 199-apartment project at 432 East 162nd Street. This Melrose building was once a factory, and in its new avatar it will have solar panels on the roof to provide parts of the building with electricity.

• Bronx Commons

Courtesy of Danois Architects and WXY

The Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corp. (WHEDco.) along with BFC Partners is spearheading this 305-unit project, which recently broke ground in Melrose. The $165 million project will also bring with it a 14,000-square-foot music hall, that will be able to seat up to 300 people.

• 1520 and 1530 Story Avenue

Curtis + Ginsberg Architects

Part of the overall Lafayette Boynton affordable housing complex, these two new rental buildings located at 1520 and 1530 Story Avenue will bring 435 apartments to the area, along with landscaped gardens when construction is complete. It’s been just under a month since construction got underway, and the project will likely wrap in the summer of 2019.

• 1191 Boston Road

Courtesy Breaking Ground

This newly built affordable project, with its distinct colorful facade features 154 apartments, and is particularly geared towards low-income New Yorkers and the formerly homeless. The apartments were being rented from $550/month and were developed by Breaking Ground at a cost of $47 million.

• 1125 Whitlock Avenue

Located right across from the Sheridan Expressway on Whitlock Avenue, this Ader Group-developed project will bring 474 apartments to the South Bronx spread out over two 14-story buildings. In addition there will also be a little under 10,000 square feet of community facilities at the development.

Aside from their deep dive into the affordable housing market in the South Bronx, the Times also picked South Bronx on its list of 52 Places to Go in 2017.

• The Bronx Is Building [NYT]
• South Bronx named one of 2017’s hottest destinations by the Times [Curbed]