YIMBY recently visited the Melrose section of the South Bronx, where two new all-affordable residential buildings and a charter school are under construction. All three properties are within walking distance of the 3rd Avenue–149th Street subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains.
Work is finishing up on two residential buildings in the Melrose Supportive Housing development at 409 and 450 East 158th Street. Designed by Aufgang Architects and developed by Barone Management, Azimuth Development, and The Jericho Project, the structures will span a combined 80,000 square feet and yield 129 affordable units. Apartments will come in studio to one-bedroom layouts, and 78 units will serve as permanent supportive housing for local homeless families and veterans. Amenities include 24-hour security, high-speed internet, and on-site laundry facilities.
409 East 158th Street is located mid-block between Melrose and Elton Avenue. Exterior work is complete and crews are currently wrapping up the interiors and applying the finishing touches while the developers work to secure the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO).
409 East 158th Street. Photo by Michael Young.
409 East 158th Street. Photo by Michael Young.
409 East 158th Street. Photo by Michael Young.
409 East 158th Street. Photo by Michael Young.
409 East 158th Street. Photo by Michael Young.
409 East 158th Street. Photo by Michael Young.
450 East 158th Street is the larger of the two buildings and has finished construction, operating with a TCO since July. The structure features a cohesive design with a façade composed of orange and charcoal-hued paneling and red brick. The entrance is situated slightly below grade along Elton Avenue via an ADA-accessible ramp.
450 East 158th Street. Photo by Michael Young.
450 East 158th Street. Photo by Michael Young.
450 East 158th Street. Photo by Michael Young.
450 East 158th Street. Photo by Michael Young.
450 East 158th Street. Photo by Michael Young.
450 East 158th Street. Photo by Michael Young.
The property was formerly occupied by La Ressurreccion United Methodist Church.
450 East 158th Street, circa May 2018. Image via Google Maps.
A few blocks to the south, foundations are progressing for the five-story Architecture, Engineering & Construction Industries (AECI) charter school at 2970 3rd Avenue. Designed by Loci Architecture PLLC and developed by Barone Management and Azimuth Development, the 60-foot-tall structure will span 77,957 square feet. The school will occupy 59,133 square feet, and the remaining 18,824 square feet will be devoted to ground-floor retail. The school will feature a gymnasium with two full-size basketball courts and a rooftop play area. The property is located at the corner of 3rd Avenue and East 153rd Street.
Crews are currently beginning to form the foundations as excavation continues behind the wraparound sidewalk fencing.
2970 3rd Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
2970 3rd Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
2970 3rd Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
2970 3rd Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
2970 3rd Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
2970 3rd Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
2970 3rd Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
The school is targeting a completion date of winter 2028.
2970 3rd Avenue. Photo by Michael Young.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
.99 cent pizza!!
Let’s go, now!!
These actually aren’t terrible. The zoning required setback at 409 E 158th is beyond stupid as it only draws attention the building’s height. The 2 story brick base should have been brought out to the street wall property line.
The new charter school looks like a Public Storage facility. Store away them brats.
Exactly what neighborhood needs, more supportive housing. It is ironic. Those people do need homes, but they are also the people that bring down a neighborhood. Just look at the Hub at 149th. And it keeps getting piled on.
Isn’t there supposed to be an MTA easement under that charter school location?