Construction has officially topped out on the second phase of The Peninsula, a five-building, 100% affordable housing development rising in Hunts Point on the former site of the Spofford Juvenile Detention Center.
The milestone comes roughly 18 months after work began on Phase 2 in November 2023. This phase will deliver 359 of the project’s planned 740 affordable housing units, spread across Buildings 2A and 2B. The developers, Gilbane Development Company, secured $297 million in financing ahead of the groundbreaking through a combination of funding from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, and Wells Fargo.
Phase 1 of The Peninsula was completed in 2022 and includes 183 affordable apartments, a 14,000-square-foot cultural arts center, affordable artist studios, and a 57,000-square-foot light industrial building.
“The topping out of phase two of the Peninsula is a significant milestone in Gilbane’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable housing to the Bronx,” Gilbane Development Senior Vice President of Affordable and Mixed-Income Housing Yarojin (Roj) Robinson said. “The transformation of the Peninsula is a powerful example of how thoughtful redevelopment can reshape a community’s future. These 359 new residences will provide families with a stable foundation, access to essential amenities – offering more Bronx families not just housing, but the foundation for brighter futures.”
At least 10% of the Peninsula’s 740 apartments will be designated for formerly homeless individuals, including 15% of the 359 units in Phase 2. An additional 73% of the units in this phase will be affordable to households earning no more than 60% of the area median income.
The apartments, which range from studios to three-bedroom units, will feature resident-controlled heating and air conditioning, dishwashers, energy-efficient lighting, and full-height windows offering views of the New York City skyline.
Resident amenities include a laundry room, fitness center, community room, children’s playroom, landscaped open space, bike storage, limited above-ground parking, and public area Wi-Fi. Each apartment will also have access to low-cost Direct Connect Wi-Fi.
The development offers easy access to public transportation, with nearby bus service on the Bx6, Bx19, and Bx46 routes. The Longwood Avenue station, which serves the 6 train, is also within walking distance of the complex.
“This project is a symbol of what we can accomplish when guided by a commitment to equity, opportunity and transformation,” Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said. “The topping out of phase two of the Peninsula, boasting 359 apartments and a 50,000 square-foot public plaza, should stand as a sign that this is more than just steel and concrete – this comes out of perseverance, tireless work and a commitment and collective belief that everyone deserves a safe, affordable and inspiring place to call home. I want to thank Gilbane Development, Hudson Companies, MHANY and Broadway Builders for their incredible work that uplifts, and makes communities stronger. Together we are building more than just housing, we are building hope, opportunity and a better future for the Bronx.”
In addition to the 740 units, the 5-building development will have 15,000 square feet of retail space, 57,000 square feet of open public plazas, 53,500 square feet of community facility space, which is slated to be occupied by a Head Start facility administered by the New York City Department of Education, a grocery store, a cultural arts facility managed by the arts organization Inspiration Point and a health and wellness center operated by Urban Health Plan. The fifth building will feature a light-industrial manufacturing facility.
Exterior work is already underway on the two topped-out buildings, which feature red brick facades and grids of floor-to-ceiling windows. The buildings are on track for completion in July 2026, with units expected to become available earlier that year.
“Where once stood the Spofford Juvenile Detention Center — a black eye for the Bronx — now is the promise of rebuilding our community,” Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. said. “Building upon the success of phase one, phase two’s 359 apartments ensures that with the Peninsula, we are following through on our commitment to bringing high-quality, truly affordable housing to a borough that has been long overlooked in economic development and revitalization efforts. As our city’s housing crisis continues to grow at alarming rates, it’s even more important that those of us with the power to make positive change work together to bring creative solutions to address this problem once and for all.”
Phase three of the Peninsula is expected to be completed in 2028. It will account for the last 198 residential units in a fifth and final industrial and manufacturing building.
The Peninsula is being developed and built by Gilbane Development, Hudson Companies, MHANY Management and Broadway Builders.
