MLK Plaza is a 13-story, 167 unit, affordable residential building in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. Formerly zoned for manufacturing, a ULURP rezoning process allowed for the realization of a 176,000 SF residential development at this site, bringing much needed affordable housing to a residential desert. The development of MLK Plaza will introduce housing for extremely low income residents and offer state of the art design throughout the building reaching market rate standards. The material selection in addition to the architecture will set the building apart from other affordable housing and will include:
• Manganese color Roman bricks
• Gold color metal panels and window fins
• Gold color window Façade Boxes
• Motorized gold metal mesh solar shading devices at 9th -12th floor setbacks providing shading for large corridor windows.
• High efficiency triple glazed UPVC windows
• High efficiently triple glazed thermally broken aluminum curtainwalls and storefronts
• Green roof system at all setback roofs
• Multi-tiered landscaped rear yard
• Large entry canopy with gold metal panel finish
• Sunshading device at double height lobby
• Active Design features
The massing of the building locates the tallest portion at the intersection of East 147th Street and Timpson Place, stepping down to the south. The residential lobby also at the corner, is as close to public transportation as the site allows. MLK’s grand lobby features structural steel details that are inherent structure and reflect the neighborhood’s industrial character. The double height lobby have brick and charred wood feature walls and dramatic lighting pendants. Within apartments, kitchens will include dishwashers and granite countertops. Large double height windows at each floor landing within internal stairwells create a more welcoming space filled with natural light, with the goal of encouraging tenants to use the stairs for health and wellness.
MLK is one of the first examples of the successful application of the new Zoning for Quality in Affordable Housing regulations. All of the units will be affordable targeting a mix of AMIs, and will feature access to amenity spaces including a landscaped rear garden, recreation and community rooms, and a gym with an adjacent outdoor terrace on the seventh floor. The terrace is actually a structural dimple in the building at the seventh floor creating double height outdoor space that will serve two functions. It will provide breathtaking views of Manhattan, and allow for yoga and outdoor exercise such as stretching and basic calisthenics where equipment and weights are not necessary given its proximity to the exercise room. This void also breaks the massing along 147th Street.
The design is targeting LEED Platinum and On-target to achieve Energy Star certification through the Multifamily High Rise Program, with sustainable strategies including:
• High Performance Variable Refrigerant Flow System
• Efficient and balanced exhaust and supply ventilation to ensure proper indoor air quality
• High efficacy lighting with enhanced lighting control strategies
• Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) in corridors
• Enhanced building envelope R-values that exceed minimum energy code performance requirements
• Advanced water conservation through low-flow plumbing fixtures and efficient irrigation systems
• Energy Star appliances
• Enhanced air tightness of building envelope, and compartmentalization of units.
• High performance units
The project is financed under The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the NYC Housing Development Corporation’s (HDC) Extremely Low and Low-Income Affordability Program (ELLA) and HPD’s Our Space Initiative. MLK Plaza is also one of the first projects to be financed under the City’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) program.
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