The west central Bronx has long been known for abandoned properties and deep poverty, and construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway only pushed many of those neighborhoods further into blight and disinvestment. But now, savvy affordable and market-rate developers are training their gaze on Mount Hope and Tremont.
Builder Alex Gilkarov has filed plans for an eight-story apartment building at 222 Echo Place, between Monroe and Anthony avenues in Mount Hope. The 44-unit project would have just 27,568 square feet of residential space, for little average units measuring 628 square feet.
Each floor would have five or six units, and an 870-square-foot recreation room would round out the ground floor.
It’s unclear whether the building would be affordable or market-rate housing, but we’d guess at least 20 percent of the building will rent for below-market-rates.
This area is zoned R8, which encourages tall residential buildings and doesn’t come with a height limit. That’s why Gilkarov is able to develop a relatively dense building on a 5,400-square-foot lot. No parking is included, and none is required, because parking is waived for small lots under R8 zoning.
The site is currently home to a pair of wood frame houses. Demolition plans have been filed, but not yet approved, to knock them down. The homes last changed hands for a combined $1,150,000 in May.
Gilkarov, whose business is based in Jamaica Estates, runs a firm called Platinum Management Group. He’s hired Issac and Stern Architects to design the building.
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The offering of develop to an eight-story apartment building in need, for sure on the latest coming.
Sounds like a good idea for 44 units much needed in area.
Some incorrect history. Those places didn’t become blighted until after the Cross Bronx Expressway.