Developed by a non-profit developer of supportive housing, Broadway Housing Communities (BHC), the $70 million, 13-storey, 124-apartment affordable housing complex will be located on W. 155th Street at St. Nicholas Place. A period garage with terra-cotta detailing will be demolished to make way for the new scheme.
The brief for the scheme required something modern but complementary to the surrounding Gothic revival row-houses. Adjaye has proposed a dark slab above a 76ft glass-and-terrazzo base that steps back to create a 10ft terrace and cantilever on opposite sides, in response to this brief. Saw-toothed fenestration fans across both facades indicate reference to the bay windows that are common in the area. These windows also provide views of the Hudson River and the new Yankee Stadium. David has derived this design nod from the terra-cotta buildings in the neighbourhood. SLCE Architects is the project’s architect of record.
The Faith Ringgold Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling spanning 18,036 square feet is housed at the building base. The museum has been designed with interactive exhibition and performance spaces in its ground floor designed by Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design Partnership. The second floor will house a 12,196 square feet daycare centre and offices for BHC. Terraces open up on the third and ninth floors and the roof.
Currently, the rezoning and design process are complete and expects to break ground on the project by the beginning of 2011. The project is slated for 2012 completion.
