Dynamic Star, a commercial real estate developer specializing in New York City properties, plans to begin construction this spring on Fordham Landing South, a sustainable mixed-use development with 405 multifamily units, including 153 affordable apartments.
Located along the Harlem River at 320 W. Fordham Road in the University Heights section of the Bronx, N.Y., the development will also have 350,000 square feet of leasable community facility space and a nearly one-acre waterfront public esplanade. Perkins Eastman is the project’s architect and MPFP is the landscape architect.
Brad Zackson, Dynamic Star co-founder and director of development, told Multi-Housing News April 1 is the target date to begin construction, which is expected to take about 30 months to complete. Zackson said there will be a housing lottery for the affordable units but the firm is still working with the City of New York to set the household income and Area Median Income levels for those apartments. The remainder of the units, 252, will be market-rate.
In prepared remarks, Zackson said Fordham Landing South will be a testament to the potential for sustainable living in urban environments, particularly in communities that have historically been underserved. He said the project will help the Bronx take a significant step toward a greener, more resilient future.
Sustainable features
Penny Lee, Dynamic Star’s director of planning, echoed Zackson’s comments, noting the development and architecture team approached the building’s design with a commitment to the long-term sustainability of the neighborhood and residents. She said it would be built to the highest eco-friendly standards and MPFP’s landscape designs would also bring natural and built environments together to create a green and healthy community.
Fordham Landing South will be among the first in the Bronx to deploy geothermal heat pumps, covering 60 percent of the building’s climate control needs with sustainable technology. The remainder will be served by high-efficiency boilers. The development will be incorporating View Smart Windows, which use artificial intelligence to adapt to sunlight, creating cooler interior temperatures and contributing to the building’s energy efficiency. All lighting fixtures will be Energy Star-rated for efficiency, with exterior fixtures also meeting Dark Sky standards to prevent light pollution.
Interior construction materials will include low VOC selections for indoor air quality and the structure’s elevation meets the 2080 NYC Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines to handle future environmental challenges. Appliances will be electric and Energy Star-rated to minimize the carbon footprint of each residential unit. The community facility building will use water-side economizers for further energy savings.
The property will include 25 electric vehicle charging stations, exceeding the required number, and reinforcing the development’s commitment to sustainable transportation. A revamped Metro-North Commuter Railroad University Heights station will be located next door. It will include a lengthened platform and a new pedestrian bridge connecting the station to the property.
Fordham Landing South’s Harlem River esplanade design will provide a wide array of passive and active recreational opportunities including a continuous bike and pedestrian path. The project is also integrated into the New York City street system and Harlem River Greenway to reduce traffic and promote cycling.
