Middletown Plaza, a NYCHA building for seniors in the Pelham Bay neighborhood, was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places, making it the 80th Bronx locale to be given the distinction.
“3033 Middletown [Road]’s recognition is a testament to the significance and rich history present within our community,” said Assembly Member Michael Benedetto, who represents the 82nd District.
According to NYCHA, the property was built between 1970 and 1973. The agency said it has “the most sophisticated” design of the NYCHA properties, a Brutalist-style concrete tower with “as many windows as possible” designed by modern architect Paul Randolph. Middletown Plaza features 179 apartments and a community center.
The National Register seeks to list historic properties “worthy of preservation” and protection, according to the National Park Service.
The property’s history hasn’t always been rosy. In 2016, residents complained about faulty automatic doors, bathrooms, keys and the lobby ceiling. And in 2017, the city identified over $21 million in repairs needed at the building.
Residents protested poor conditions again in 2020. “Come on! Put the money in the right place,” 76-year-old resident Geraldine Stevens said in video footage captured by News 12. “We have people 95 years old in the building.”
Today, it appears improvements have been made, as the property has no open complaints and its three violations with the city Department of Housing and Development are not in the most severe category.
Improvements should continue at Middletown Plaza, which was selected for the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program, along with Boston Road Plaza in the Allerton neighborhood and Boston Secor in the Edenwald neighborhood. The three buildings, which are home to 1,782 residents, will see repairs and enhanced amenities and services.
“The project will upgrade and update many aspects of the campuses to improve the quality of life for residents, while restoring and preserving the historic features and character of each building,” said a NYCHA spokesperson.
The Bronx is home to 79 other sites on the National Register, including some well-known attractions (Botanical Garden, Wave Hill, Woodlawn Cemetery) and some that may be less expected (Dollar Savings Bank, 48th Police Precinct station, the U.S. Post Office on Jerome Avenue in the Morisania neighborhood).
To learn more about plans for Middletown Plaza, see https://www.nyc.gov/site/nycha/about/pact/bostonroad-bostonsecor-middletown.page.
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
