A new proposal has been submitted to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission for the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory at 1 West Kingsbridge Road in Kingsbridge Heights, The Bronx. The proposal, submitted by 8th Regiment Partners LLC with design by FXCollaborative Architects, aims to preserve the existing landmarked Armory building while introducing new construction on the site, including a 16-story residential tower. The facility is bounded by West 195th Street to the north, West Kingsbridge Road to the south, Jerome Avenue to the east, and Reservoir Avenue to the west.
Rendering of Kingsbridge Armory, via LPC proposal
The proposed scope of work includes restoration and modifications to the existing Armory structure, such as the installation of new glass and metal entry doors, window replacements, and roof upgrades with added insulation, solar panels, and skylights. Work will remove non-historic additions, such as a stair structure while historic elements, including terracotta bands and gates, will be salvaged and reinstalled.
Rendering of Kingsbridge Armory, via LPC proposal
The new residential building will abut the Armory on the north side and is shown composed of two large volumes connected by a podium and central skybridge at the third and fourth stories. The façade appears to be composed of various shades of tan brick surrounding an orderly grid of windows. New tree-lined sidewalks will surround the ground floor. A portion of the units is expected to be designated for affordable housing, and the structure will also contain enclosed parking facilities.
In addition to the residential component, the project is also planned to include a music museum, events venue, light manufacturing incubators, and ground-floor retail. New plaza landscaping, barrier-free access, and signage is also scoped in plans.
Rendering of Kingsbridge Armory, via LPC proposal
The Kingsbridge Armory is located directly adjacent to the 4 train at the Kingsbridge Road station. The B and D trains are also three blocks east at the Kingsbridge Road station along Grand Concourse.
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
The poor Armory seems to be a white elephant and no one seems able to find a use for it. My grandfather from Trenton, NJ, went there for a stamp collectors show in the 1930s or 1940s. I doubt such use would be likely today given the Javits Center.
It is nice to have space around large buildings and shoehorning the apartments into the narrow strip seems unfortunate.
The Armory building is unsound and unsafe. It would cost more to rectify the Armory’s issues than it will to build the affordable housing, which is one reason (of several) why other developers abandoned their ideas.
What happened to the nice glassy renderings for the housing component that were shown last year. Now they’re pitching new building that are trying to “blend in” with like-colored masonry but will instead probably just end up looking like much of the other low-end affordable projects of the last decade. The glass version was the way to go. It’s alwats better to contrast with something well than to mimic poorly.
This is a disappointing change.
Surely tearing down everything except the southern side battlements and incorporating them into new buildings with more new housing on the north side is the way to go.
Such a fascinating building; but unless it can be used for a small factory, community shopping mall, fabrication center for Manhattan skyscrapers, etc. a space of this type is unlikely to be fully used.
I agree that saving the towers and incorporating the outside walls into a new development would be a better outcome for all.
While I try to be realistic about infill redevelopment, this can be a very substantial project and it would be nice to see more invested into the architectural quality of the buildings. I’m okay with the brick, but as some stone lintels, period windows, etc.
A sight of this size can incorporate several more towers with plenty of green space.
Some years ago, the armory on E 94th and Madison was torn down except for the “head house” facade. The drill hall site was made into a playground. Many armories were built in the aftermath of the Civil War Draft Riots and were intended as fortifications. What seem as romantic recollections of castles were actually functional with provisions for gun placements on the towers. The need for this waned as the 20th century approached.
Thank you for sharing this. Hunter College has about half that block. It’s completely feasible the architecturally significant aspect of the site can be redeveloped and the engineering feat can be remembered as it no longer seems to hold any purpose in that neighborhood.
It’s fine, even if the architecture is a bit lacking. It’s right next to a subway station.
dang I would love to live on the penthouse level of this armory building
I remember my GrandFather use to go to that Headquarters, I was young but I always remember & also he use to go to the VA Hospital. Plzmake it worth it.