Developers, Politicos Cut Ribbon on First Phase of $349-Million Bronx Point Project

NEW YORK—Yesterday (Oct. 19) a host of elected officials, hip-hop luminaries and community leaders joined L+M Development Partners, Type A Projects, BronxWorks, and The Hip Hop Museum for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the housing and public space components at phase one of Bronx Point, the much-anticipated $349-million mixed-use development on the Harlem River waterfront in the South Bronx.

The event marked the official opening of 542 new housing units at the project, which was co-developed by L+M and Type A, as well as a 2.8-acre new waterfront public park and esplanade open to the public. In addition to the housing, open space, and engaging retail, Bronx Point will be the future home of The Hip Hop Museum. Bronx Point will also feature an early childhood space run by BronxWorks, one of New York City’s most effective and respected non-profit organizations whose mission is to help individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being.

Representatives from a number of city and state organizations, including Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, the Empire State Development Corporation, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Bronx Community Board #4, Wells Fargo, and BronxWorks, were on hand to celebrate the opening of Bronx Point.

“Bronx Point is the complete transformation of a long-vacant city-owned property into a mixed-use development that creates new space for important community institutions, an amazing new public waterfront park and, most importantly, new homes for hundreds of families who need them,” said Lisa Gomez, Chief Executive Officer and Partner, L+M Development Partners. “Today’s ribbon cutting ceremony represents the next step forward in our complete reimagining of a once dormant site, and we look forward to welcoming our first residents to Bronx Point in the coming weeks. We are especially grateful to Type A Projects, The Hip Hop Museum, BronxWorks and our partners in city and state government for their crucial assistance in making the dream of Bronx Point a reality.”

“Bronx Point’s success is in large part due to the hard work of an amazing Community Board who dedicated evenings and weekends to shape more than 3 acres of public open space surrounding the new building” said Annie Tirschwell, Principal of Type A Projects. “Over the course of two years and 25 meetings, the community and our landscape design professionals at Marvel produced a world-class public waterfront esplanade that the Bronx deserves. Complete with a dynamic playground, adult fitness areas, new BBQs, and tons of seating and plantings, this oasis will provide access to the Harlem River waterfront for all. Type A was honored to be part of this incredible collaboration.”

Bronx Point was designed by S9Architecture and Urban Atelier Group handled construction for the project. Marvel Architects with Abel Bainnson Butz designed the outdoor esplanade space, while Gensler, Ralph Appelbaum Associates, and Michael Ford will design the museum’s interior.

Phase one of Bronx Point was funded through a mix of both public and private capital, including financing from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, Empire State Development, Wells Fargo, and additional private funding. The overall funding includes $323.5 million for the building, along with $25.5 million for the waterfront esplanade’s construction from the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

The 542 apartments at the 100% affordable development were mostly available through the lottery for families earning between 30% to 120% of Area Median Income, and apartments for the formerly homeless. Over 63,000 New Yorkers applied to live at Bronx Point. Bronx Point includes 135 studios, 192 one-bedrooms, 122 two-bedrooms, and 93 three-bedrooms. Tenant amenities will feature an outdoor terrace for residents, on-site laundry, a children’s room, a community lounge, a bike storage room, an on-site fitness center, and around-the-clock front desk security. The project’s second phase is anticipated to include additional housing units along with additional retail and community space.

Bronx Point also features the 2.8-acre waterfront public park and esplanade. The esplanade features a playground, landscaped public walkway and seating areas, lawns, waterfront lookouts, an extended BBQ area, fitness zones for adults, and publicly accessible bathrooms.

The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx, which is scheduled to open in 2025, will provide a space for audiences, artists, and technology to converge, creating unparalleled educational and entertainment experiences around the Hip Hop culture of the past, present, and future.