Intervale Green in South Bronx

Designed by Edelman Sultan Knox Wood / Architects (New York) with project team members Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (client, Bronx, NY), Mega Contracting (general contractor, Astoria, NY), Robert Silman Associates Engineers (structural engineers, New York); Abraham Joselow P.E. (M/E/P engineers, New York), A. Billie Cohen (landscape architects, New York), Pet Franzese PE (consultant architects, New York), Steven Winter Associates (energy consultants, Norwalk, CT) and Tom Ligamari (photographer, New York)

This handsome, newly constructed flat-iron building offers 128 units for low-income families, with 38 units set aside for the formerly homeless and 46 set aside for young adults aging out of foster care. With its attractive brickwork, understated ramp, interesting courtyards and lovely attention to detail (it’s so nice to see a decorative cornice), who would ever guess this building offers affordable housing? The classic design fits well within the city and history so its uses aren’t driving public perception, and the building improves the neighborhood by its mere presence. It is also the largest multifamily high-rise Energy Star affordable-housing development in the country and offers all green roofs, including two that serve as community gardens for residents. By providing on-site educational and vocational services, the programming reaches populations that can be difficult to serve. We also like the building’s larger unit sizes and the ample community involvement in the design process and construction. Well done!