Credit: J Frankl Architects (JFA)
Hamilton Heights is best known for its elevated terrain, its Dominican food, and as the home of Alexander Hamilton, the founding father and namesake landowner who settled here once he largely exited politics. Extending from West 135th to 155th Streets, between Edgecombe Avenue and the Hudson River, the area rapidly developed from farmland to city once the IRT's Broadway line knitted the island of Manhattan together. Since then, Hamilton Heights has grown into a motley community of stately co-ops on Riverside Drive, elegant rowhouses around Convent Avenue, and throngs of hardy utilitarian walk-up and elevator buildings centered around an upbeat stretch of Broadway.
At its northern boundary where the neighborhoods blend into the Audubon Terrace section of Washington Heights, a soaring new rental building has quietly risen at 620 West 153rd Street. Situated mid-block between Broadway and Riverside Drive, its site lies on a tranquil sloping side street overlooking the Hudson River as well as the historic grounds of Trinity Church Cemetery & Mausoleum, where John James Audubon, Clement Clarke Moore, and Jerry Orbach have been buried.
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The topped out frame of 620 West 153rd Street (Late June 2022)
The tower can be clearly seen from the river and Riverbank State Park
Towering over its six- to eight-story neighbors, the rising new rental project will become the tallest structure in the neighborhood. The parcel transfers unused air rights from an adjacent low-slung parking garage to increase its size. Much of the added bulk has been used to erect additional floors, allowing the building to grow to 265,000 square feet and stretch 302 feet high above street level. Furthermore, given the site's elevation of roughly 100 feet above the Hudson River, residents above the sixth floor will enjoy far-reaching views of the city, river, and George Washington Bridge.
Developed by Brooklyn-based Jay Group and designed by the burgeoning firm of J Frankl Architects (JFA), the 28-story tower will feature a diagnostic ambulatory community facility within it broad through-block base, a 95-car parking garage on the second floor, and 238 rental apartments above. Seventy percent of units will be market-rate, with the remaining 30 percent being designated as affordable at 130 percent of the area median income. In December 2021, The New York Observer reported that the project closed on $83 million in construction financing arranged by Meridian Capital Group. It includes a senior loan from Bank Hapoalim (BHI) and a mezzanine loan from New York City-based debt fund Be Aviv.
Residential amenities will include a lounge, co-working space, fitness center, and bike room. There will also be plenty of outdoor perks that include a children’s playground, pet park, outdoor kitchens, dining area, and a rooftop terrace with 360-degree views. Riverbank Park is located a half-block away, and the site is close to popular area restaurants, the 1 train at 157th Street, and the A/C trains at 155th Street.
Residential amenities will include a lounge, co-working space, fitness center, and bike room. There will also be plenty of outdoor perks that include a children’s playground, pet park, outdoor kitchens, dining area, and a rooftop terrace with 360-degree views. Riverbank Park is located a half-block away, and the site is close to popular area restaurants, the 1 train at 157th Street, and the A/C trains at 155th Street.
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