The groundbreaking of Phase Two of the Peninsula campus, which will bring hundreds of affordable units to Hunts Point. Image Credit: HPD.
On November 29, 2023, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation joined the development team to celebrate the groundbreaking of the next phase of the Peninsula, a 100 percent affordable housing mixed-use campus in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx. The development team included Gilbane Development Company, Hudson Companies, MHANY Management Inc, and Wells Fargo.
The Peninsula campus will have four mixed-use residential buildings and a light manufacturing building, set to be complete by 2029. In total, the five-acre campus will have 740 affordable homes, 52,000 square feet of community space, 59,000 square feet of open plaza space, and 16,000 square feet of retail space. The community space will accommodate a Department of Education Head Start Facility, a cultural arts facility, a health and wellness center, and community programs. The development team is aiming to have a grocery store in the retail space. The Peninsula campus sits on the site of the former Spofford Juvenile Detention center.
Phase One of the Peninsula was completed last year, and had 183 affordable units, a 57,000 square foot industrial space building, and a 14,000 square foot cultural arts center. The spaces will be home to multiple minority- and women-owned businesses and restaurants, including Pops NYC, KD Knits, Soul Snacks, Guang De Noodles, NutHatch, Bevi-Still, Birley Bakery, AI-Rides, and Delicias y Punto. The space also includes a performance theater, a daycare facility, and affordable artist studios.
The construction in Phase Two will include two buildings with 359 affordable units. Of those units, over 260 will be deeply affordable to households up to 60 percent area median income, and approximately 50 units will be reserved for formerly homeless New Yorkers. The amenities include a laundry room, children’s playroom, lounge space and common areas, outdoor terraces, a gym, a parking garage with over 150 spaces, and 20,000 square feet of community facility space.
Phase Two’s buildings will also include sustainability features including rainwater harvesting and solar roof panels. The phase is expected to be completed by summer 2026.
The project is financed through the Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Extremely Low- and Low-Income Affordability program. The construction will be financed mainly with the proceeds from Tax-Exempt Bonds and funds from the Housing Development Corporation, the sale of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and Housing Preservation and Development subsidy. Additional funding will include Reso A funds from Council Member Rafael Salamanca and sponsor loans.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson stated, “The Peninsula is a transformative mixed-use development project aimed at creating affordable housing options while fostering community space and opportunities for residents in the Hunts Point neighborhood. These 359 units represent more than just physical space, they symbolize hope and opportunity for those grappling with the challenges of finding suitable accommodations. These units will also contribute to the broader Hunts Point community by helping to stabilize the neighborhood and promote economic vitality. Accessible housing options not only address immediate housing needs but also lay the groundwork for stronger, more resilient communities. . .”
HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. stated, “This marks a pivotal moment in transforming what was once a juvenile detention center into a living and thriving community in the heart of the Hunts Point Peninsula. Complete with permanently affordable housing and resources long needed in this corner of the Bronx, this project is a testament to the continued commitment that the City and our development partners share in supporting families and transforming neighborhoods.”
By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the Editor of CityLand and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)