The five-building complex is the largest affordable housing project in New York City
The topping-out of the second and third structures of the five-building La Central mixed-use, multi-family residential complex in the South Bronx were celebrated last week in a special ceremony at the 153rd Street and Bergen Avenue site in the Melrose neighborhood.
FXCollaborative, in collaboration with MHG Architects, is the design architect for the new 1.1-million-square-foot development.
Once complete, the entire La Central project will be a thriving mixed-income, mixed-use development with a total of 1,077 units of affordable housing (which includes the Breakinground/CommuniLife Building that features 160 units of supportive housing for formerly homeless veterans and New Yorkers with special needs, opening October 29); a new YMCA, a BronxNet television studio, a skate park and a host of other new retail, community, and recreation spaces.
A combination of on-site cogeneration, solar panels and a super-tight building envelope will provide a sustainable environment for residents including savings on energy costs and a reduced reliance on the area’s electric grid.
Additionally, low-flow fixtures and water-efficient appliances are planned for every apartment cutting water consumption by as much as 45 percent and the complex will feature rainwater harvesting for irrigation.
Green roofs will cover a substantial portion of the roof areas including a 9,000-square-foot urban farm for tenants operated by Grow NYC.
BRP Companies, Hudson Companies Inc., The Kretchmer Companies, ELH Mgmt LLC, Breaking Ground, Comunilife and the YMCA are the developers of the project.
Construction on the supportive housing building began in 2017 and was completed this year. Construction on the two buildings that topped out September 12 began in 2018 with completion anticipated in 2020; and the final two buildings are in design with overall project completion in 2023.
