Rendering of Bedford Green House via Edelman Sultan Knox Wood
Months after the groundbreaking of Bedford Green House, a 13-story, 118-unit supportive housing building at 2865 Creston Avenue in Bedford Park, anticipation is already running high for the latest residence by Project Renewal, a non-profit dedicated to ending homelessness through social innovations. Designer Edelman Sultan Knox Wood embraced the initiative and drew inspiration from biophilia, a science-backed theory that suggests that exposure to nature reduces stress.
Sketch of Bedford Green House's rooftop via Edelman Sultan Knox Wood
To look at Bedford Green House, it is no surprise to hear that it was designed to meet, if not exceed LEED Gold standards. The building’s living green façade and a green wall in the lobby will absorb airborne pollutants and reduce heating and cooling energy. However, the rooftop greenhouse is the crowning glory and home to some of the building’s most innovative programs: A vertical farming system known as aquaponics will allow residents to raise vegetables and edible fish in a symbiotic ecosystem, and the fish and vegetables will be served through City Beet Kitchens, Project Renewal’s catering business staffed by its Culinary Arts Training Program graduates. Additionally, a horticultural therapist will help residents grow their own food.
“The building contributes to the neighborhood, making it greener, healthier, and more connected.” – Andrew B. Knox, Partner, Edelman Sultan Knox Wood
A representative of Edelman Sultan Knox Wood said that Bedford Green House will be ready to be "out of the ground" in a few weeks, and is expected to be completed in late summer 2019. When it opens, residents will be a combination of singles, families, and seniors. As part of Mayor de Blasio’s Housing New York 2.0 initiative, this project was financed under the HDC’s Extremely Low and Low-Income Affordability Program and HPD’s Supportive Housing New Construction program. Bedford Green House is the first phase of Project Renewal’s plan to create 90 additional affordable homes through the redevelopment of a neighborhood site.
Until then, the surrounding Bronx community will not be forgotten. The building benefits from easy access to the Kingsbridge Road and Bedford Park Boulevard subway stations. Closer to home, a playground in the front yard will be accessible to community residents as well as the children of residents. An inviting streetscape at the front of the building will encourage interaction. Custom artwork for the building will be curated from the Bronx community. And in addition to the greenhouse, the rooftop will be home to a demonstration kitchen that will host healthy cooking classes for residents and neighbors.
Typical floorplan (Edelman Sultan Knox Wood)
Content Specialist
Michelle Mazzarella
Michelle is a contributing writer and editor for real estate news in New York City
6sqft delivers the latest on real estate, architecture, and design, straight from New York City.
