At a time when the health of city buildings has been called into question, Virginia House is taking steps towards positive change. As part of a gut renovation and horizontal and vertical enlargement, the long-vacant East Harlem building will be updated to Passive House standards with exterior and interior insulation, triple-glazed windows, and ERV units. Moreover, updates presented in Active Design Guidelines will include well-lit stairs presented as the main means of circulation.
Upon completion, the building will measure seven stories and 57 affordable units. The property has a restrictive covenant for senior housing, and the renovation is being funded by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Senior Affordable Rental Apartments (SARA) Program. Acacia Network, which is known for its work with underserved communities, is at the helm.
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Permits list a recreation room, computer room, and laundry room among the amenities, and designer PM Architecture mentions an outdoor recreation area with space for plantings at the rear of the building. It is two blocks from the 110th Street 6 subway stop, and Central Park is a short walk away. Completion was estimated for December 2020, and it may still be on track to meet that goal - the city has classified it as essential construction.
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