More affordable housing development open in the Bronx is a positive sign in a down economy.
The Via Verde, a 20-story, 222-unit green workforce housing development, is almost complete and will be ready to open to new residents in the first quarter of 2012 at 704-706 Brook Avenue.
The co-developers of the complex, Phipps Houses and Jonathan Rose Companies, announced that they have officially started accepting applications for 133 affordable rental apartments as of Thursday, October 27.
“It is certainly a very exciting time. The building came together in a very quick process and we could not be any happier,” said Ari Goldstein of Jonathan Rose Companies. “The building is very striking when you first see it and members and officials of the Melrose community are ecstatic to have this new addition to the neighborhood near completion.”
The design for the building, which was done by Dattner Architects and Grimshaw Architects, was selected as the winner of the New Housing New York Legacy Project competition in 2007 for the selected area in Melrose.
After two years, the section was rezoned, and construction on the complex began in March 2010. According to Goldstein, work was finished three months ahead of schedule, which allowed the application process to begin quicker.
The building was constructed with recycled and environmentally-friendly materials and was created to promote a healthy lifestyle and community. Future residents of the building will be able to utilize communal gardening beds on the garden roof to plant greenery and grow organic fruits and vegetables.
Via Verde’s design has achieved LEED Gold Certification from the United States Green Building Council and to exceed the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Enterprise Green Communities guidelines for an environmentally responsible complex.
“It’s simply 40,000-square-feet of excellent space that future residents will be able to utilize,” Goldstein said. “We are very pleased with the almost-final product and we know that it will be an excellent addition not only to the Melrose section, but the entire Bronx.”
The apartments all include hardwood flooring, in-unit washer/dryers, Energy Star appliances, and are internet and cable ready. The building includes a large attended lobby, a fitness center, a penthouse community room, ample bicycle storage, is conveniently located near the 2 and 5 trains, and is minutes away from “The Hub” shopping district.
Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, December 27, which will then be followed by a lottery to select new tenants. Via Verde is also accepting applications for the 70 co-ops in the building.
Applications can be downloaded at www.phippsny.org/housing_app.html. For more information, visit www.viaverdenyc.com.
Reach Vito Signorile via e-mail at vsignorile@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3383.©2011 Community Newspaper Group
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