Construction has topped out on two buildings within La Central, a 1.1-million-square-foot development in the South Bronx. Designed in collaboration by MHG Architects, FXCollaborative, and Future Green Studio, the new structures represent the second phase of La Central’s three-phase masterplan.
Located at 556 and 600 Bergen Avenue in the Melrose neighborhood, the two buildings will contain 496 affordable residential units, a new 50,000-square-foot YMCA, a television studio for BronxNet, a GrowNYC-operated rooftop garden, and ground floor retail along Westchester Avenue.
View of construction at La Central – Photo: Julienne Schaer
View of construction at La Central – Photo: Julienne Schaer
Site plan for La Central illustrates 556 and 600 Bergen Avenue as buildings A and B – Photo: FXCollaborative
Developers of the $335 million project include Hudson Companies, BRP Companies, ELH-TKC LLC, Breaking Ground, and Comunilife. Public and private financing for construction of these buildings arrived as a combination of City and State loan programs, more than $100 million in federal low-income housing tax credits from Wells Fargo, and more than $15 million in new market tax credits from Citibank and Dudley Ventures.
At the moment, the sheer scale of La Central establishes the project as one of the largest ongoing mixed-use construction projects in New York City. When complete, La Central will comprise five individual buildings.
Components include 992 affordable residences, 80,000 square feet of community facility space, a public park, and 25,0000 square feet of retail. The first phase, a supportive housing facility developed by Breaking Ground, will yield 161 units for formerly homeless veterans and New Yorkers with special needs. The building is scheduled to open next month. The third and final phase is expected to be completed in 2023, with an estimated construction cost of nearly $600 million.
With a focus on sustainability, more than 250,000 watts of power will be generated from photovoltaic panels located on building roofs. Green areas of the property include roof gardens, a 9,000-square-foot urban farm, and landscaping throughout.
La Central Master Plan – Photo: FXCollaborative
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This project is such a big deal. With major developments like this popping up around the poorest section of NYC, there’s no denying the urban resurgence. The crazy thing is that there are several other massive redevelopment projects in the greater South Bronx. Some in progress like Compass Residences, La Peninsula, and the Lambert Houses Redevelopment; and others in planning like Fordham Landing and 3rd Ave Bridge developments.
please advise me of the procedure to obtain an application. thsnk you
This is a wonderful project. I remember we had a big snowstorm. And the snow was pit on these empty lots. This is so much a better use.
Can you send me an application
I am looking for 2 bedroom apartment. I have section 8. I already applied tru Housing connect. I have bad luck, I apply for a few apartment and none of them called for it.please can you help me.