Bronx Waterfront to Host Nearly 1,000 New Homes
Mayor Adams Unveils ‘Fordham Landing South’ Affordable Housing Project
New York City is set to transform an underused Bronx waterfront parcel into a vibrant community, featuring close to 1,000 affordable homes. Mayor Eric Adams announced the advancement of “Fordham Landing South,” a significant housing initiative aimed at revitalizing the Harlem River shoreline.
A Community Focused on Affordability and Sustainability
The project, officially named “Fordham Landing South,” will introduce approximately 927 residential units. This 100 percent affordable development is committed to housing 15 percent of its residents who have experienced homelessness. The plan encompasses two mixed-use buildings, offering public waterfront access, parking facilities, and convenient connections to the Metro-North Railroad.
“Our vision for Fordham Landing South will create nearly a thousand 100-percent affordable units along with a vibrant mixed-use community and new access to the Metro North transit hub.”
—Mayor Eric Adams
Developed by Dynamic Star and Lettire, with design by Perkins Eastman, the endeavor will receive partial funding from the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development. An additional $55 million from New York State, managed by Empire State Development, will support essential site infrastructure. This initiative aligns with Mayor Adams’ broader goal to increase housing availability across the city, with his administration reporting the creation, preservation, or planning of roughly 426,800 homes to date.
Community Hub and Green Technology
A substantial 350,000-square-foot community facility is a cornerstone of the Fordham Landing South plan. This versatile space is intended to house vital services, including medical offices, alongside academic, religious, cultural, and social organizations. Notably, Dynamic Star has partnered with Carlo Schiattarella, founder and CEO of Schoolhouse Project, to establish a charter school within this facility.
Fordham Landing South is poised to be a pioneer in sustainable building practices for the Bronx. The development will feature geothermal heat pumps, projected to supply 60 percent of the building’s energy needs, supplemented by high-efficiency boilers. Additionally, the project will incorporate View Smart Windows, utilizing AI to optimize interior temperatures and enhance energy efficiency, alongside Energy Star-rated lighting and Dark Sky-compliant exterior fixtures.
Enhanced Transit and Recreational Amenities
Improvements to the nearby Metro-North University Heights station are integral to the project. These upgrades include an expanded platform and a new pedestrian bridge linking the station directly to the development. The planned waterfront area will offer a blend of passive and active recreational opportunities, including a pathway that will connect to the Harlem River Greenway for cyclists and pedestrians.
U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat expressed his support, stating, “I applaud the steadfast commitment to create safe and affordable housing for Bronx residents through the Fordham Landing South project, securing nearly 1,000 new homes to our community.”
Mayor Adams emphasized the project’s impact on the borough’s future. “This stretch of the Bronx waterfront has led many lives but will soon be home to over 900 families,”
he remarked. “When we took office three years ago, our housing situation was at a breaking point: too many families were being pushed out of the housing market and too many plots of land like this one lay empty. So, our administration turned inaction into initiative, shattering affordable housing records year after year after year and passing the first citywide rezoning in six decades to unlock new housing across every neighborhood.”
The development’s focus on affordability and sustainability reflects a growing trend in urban housing. For instance, in Denver, the Aria development is incorporating similar geothermal systems, aiming to significantly reduce operational costs and carbon footprints for residents. New York City’s commitment to this model at Fordham Landing South signals a significant step toward addressing housing needs while embracing environmental responsibility.
