If you’ve recently been near University Ave. and West 170th Street, or sat in traffic overlooking the Harlem River, you’ve likely noticed a massive new building going up next to the iconic High Bridge.
While the 33-story tower might appear to be luxury housing, it’s actually a $335 million mixed-use development with 420 affordable, supportive and transitional units, plus 5,000 square feet of ground-level commercial space, developed by Mega Contracting Group and the nonprofit Samaritan Daytop Village (SDV)
The building, simply called Highbridge, is expected to be completed next year. But well ahead of move-in day, the developers say it’s already contributing to economic growth right here in the Bronx.
The project has thus far contributed $23 million to the Bronx economy through job creation, local hiring and neighborhood spending, according to a recent report by SDV. This includes nearly $6 million spent with Bronx businesses, most of which are South Bronx-based.
At least 350 workers are onsite every day, adding to local purchases, and more than half of the current workers live in the Bronx and are earning $20-50 per hour, according to the report.
When Highbridge opens in 2027, developers say it will create 100 full-time jobs, with priority to Bronx residents, in security, supportive services, property management and other fields. The ground-floor space will likely become a medical clinic or childcare center, according to developers.
“Creating stable, affordable homes not only meets a critical need, it also strengthens communities by creating jobs and supporting local businesses,” Hercules Argyriou, vice president of Mega Contracting Group, said in the report. “At Highbridge, and all our developments, we are proud to invest in both people and the local economy.”
A ‘stunning-looking’ building
The Bronx Times got a glimpse of the project during a May 20 visit to the site, where developers said work is proceeding ahead of schedule and under budget.
The unique site atop of the highest points in the Bronx was once a convent, and, more recently a residential drug treatment facility. The views of the river and cityscape down to the Manhattan skyline are not commonly associated with shelters or supportive housing, but developers said they wanted to make the most of the location’s natural appeal.
“Nothing will ever be west of this building, or immediately south of it,” Mitchell Netburn, Samaritan Daytop Village President and CEO, told the Bronx Times.
When completed, Highbridge will have 316 permanent housing units, 60% of which are supportive, and 106 shelter units. The residential side will have a mix of studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units, and the shelter side will have mostly studios and some larger family-sized units.
The building will have either overnight or 24-hour front desk security; three outdoor terraces with greenery, seating, cookout equipment and an urban farm for produce, free wi-fi and a landscaped walking trail to the bridge.
Workers also preserved the engraved stone portico, a holdover from the convent and plan to use decorative pieces throughout the landscaping.
In terms of environmental sustainability, Highbridge will be an all-electric building with solar panels on the roof and one of the city’s largest to receive Passive House certification, a voluntary high standard of energy efficiency.
“People in affordable and supportive units don’t deserve anything less than anyone else,” Netburn said.
Some other Bronx supportive and transitional housing projects have received major pushback from nearby residents —a prominent example being Just Home on the Jacobi hospital campus, which had stalled under local opposition but pushed forward by Mayor Mamdani early in his tenure.
In contrast, Netburn said that Highbridge received “very little opposition” —though during construction the builders have tried to buy neighbors’ patience with Thanksgiving turkey giveaways and other efforts.
Though the project is as-of-right, developers notified Community Board 4 of their plan in late 2023, made a presentation in 2024 and engaged with elected officials.
According to Netburn, after Council Member Althea Stevens raised concern about the building’s height, the team studied the possibility of making it wider and shorter. In the end, they concluded the small footprint was necessary to avoid encroaching too far towards the bridge, and everyone agreed on the need to maximize the number of units. “Every floor we take off, we lose units,” Netburn said.
He said he’s proud that Highbridge will be sustainably built and “stunning-looking” without going over budget and that the benefit has already extended beyond those who will live there.
“It’s good for the community and good for residents.”
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
