Grimshaw's Bronx housing opens doors

The £62 million Via Verde scheme (the Green Way) caters for a mixed-income community, providing 222 mainly rental homes on the 5,600m² former industrial site.

The UK-based practice worked with local firm Dattner Architects on the project which was backed by two developers: Jonathan Rose Companies and The Phipps Houses.

The scheme included a 20-storey tower at the north end of the site, six-to-12 storey mid-rise buildings in the middle, and three-to-four storey townhouses to the south.

An extra two storeys were added to the tower proposed in the contest-winning designs and the number of homes was also incresed by 20.

According to the practice, the design was driven by ‘engendering a sense of community’, and providing a ‘connection between residents’.

A key concept of this is a series of roof gardens, the practice says, which as well as enhancing insulation create a rooftop community.

Virginia Little of Grimshaw said: ‘Via Verde’s mandate for healthy living in affordable housing inspires not only a place to live, but a way to think. We sincerely hope the efforts put forward will enrich the lives of its residents, the community, and the future of affordable housing.’

NYSDEC regional director Venetia Lannon added:’This project epitomizes New York State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program. This contaminated former industrial site, which was vacant for many years, was successfully cleaned up and put back into productive use’.

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