Atrium at Sumner is one of several new affordable housing projects to break ground in the outer boroughs this summer as part of a public-private collaboration between city agencies and for-profit developers. The forthcoming property is located on Marcus Garvey Boulevard between Park Avenue and Myrtle Avenue on NYCHA‘s Sumner Houses campus in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
Prior to groundbreaking, the 24,000-square-foot lot sat vacant for many years. When completed, the building will comprise more than 138,000 square feet of new residential space and 7,500 square feet of community facility space.
The residential component will comprise 130 studio apartments, 59 one-bedroom apartments, and one two-bedroom superintendent apartment. A total of 57 units will be set aside for homeless seniors. The remaining 132 apartments will be reserved for individuals and households earning at or below 50 percent of the area median income.
NYCHA residents will be given preference for 33 of the apartments. The 11-story building is organized around a central atrium with corridors overlooking a year-round indoor garden on the ground floor.
Amenity spaces will include flexible meeting rooms, an exercise room, a community garden, and a social services suite. The community facilities will be activated as classroom spaces, conference rooms, and a large multipurpose room.
Open space next to the new building will support a playground, walking paths, upgraded lighting, and seating.
“At a time when the price of living in New York City is on the rise, we’re thrilled to play a part in bringing much-needed affordable housing as well as Bed-Stuy’s first PACE center to Brooklyn seniors,” said RiseBoro Community Partnership CEO Scott Short. “Over the past year, we have seen a critical need for affordable housing with integrated services to keep seniors safe and healthy in times of crisis. As the older adult population continues to grow, projects like Atrium are more important than ever.”
Rendering of The Atrium at Sumner’s ground floor – Studio Libeskind; Sumner Senior Partners LLC
Rendering of The Atrium at Sumner – Studio Libeskind; Sumner Senior Partners LLC
Beyond RiseBoro, members of the development team include Urban Builders Collaborative, and Selfhelp Realty Group – The Melamid Institute for Affordable Housing. In addition to NYCHA, public partners include the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the NYC Housing Development Corporation.
“For 85 years, Selfhelp Community Services has provided seniors and other vulnerable New Yorkers with critical services to age with independence and dignity in the neighborhoods they call home,” said Evelyn Wolff, executive director of Selfhelp Realty Group – The Melamid Institute for Affordable Housing. “Today, we are one step closer to the development of The Atrium at Sumner, which will bring this commitment to Bedford-Stuyvesant.”
The Atrium at Sumner is designed by renowned architecture group Studio Libeskind. As the structure rises, the massing slowly folds in as if receding from the surrounding campus. The building’s crisp white façade incorporates an asymmetrical arrangement of diagonal lines that are visually connected to leaning columns at the ground floor. According to Studio Libeskind, the goal was to create a dynamic interaction with the street and surrounding context.
The building is also designed to Passive House Standards and will yield 60 to 70 percent less energy consumption compared to the average New York City apartment building.
Aerial rendering of The Atrium at Sumner – Studio Libeskind; Sumner Senior Partners LLC
Evening rendering of The Atrium at Sumner – Studio Libeskind; Sumner Senior Partners LLC
Additional members of the project team include structural design by LERA Consulting Structural Engineers and Lettire Construction Corporation, which is retained as general contractor.
Construction is slated to wrap by 2023.
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Excellent project in every way, including passive construction. So many NYCHA projects have large surface parking lots. Building new housing above would be an easy solution to address housing needs.
Check out Casa Celina. Like this development a good proposal on poorly utilized NYCHA property.
Great initiative. I worked in that same area in 1980. The area has certainly improved for the better. Transportation and shopping as well as hospital care are all accessible here.
What a great project.
I was born and raised in this area I moved in the projects in 19 61 I’ve been applying for affordable housing over 8 years and have not got a response from anybody I would love to get in these new apartments in Sumner projects but I know that’s a big gamble it’s all about who you know
Hells bells that looks awesome
Wow
130 Studio’s
59 one bedroom
1 two bedroom
So what is family with 3 or 4 kids suppose to do
Oh problem solved
Kids can sleep on pull out sofa
In livingroom
This is your idea of adequate
living space
Are you the builder’s
Or coalition for Affordable Housing pulling out a sofa
For your kids