The New York City Council has approved a redevelopment plan for the Kingsbridge Armory at 1 West Kingsbridge Road in Kingsbridge Heights, The Bronx. Led by 8th Regiment Partners in collaboration with the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC), the project aims to transform the long-vacant landmark into a mixed-use community hub. It was developed under the “Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan” and includes extensive community input. Construction will unfold in two phases and is supported by $216 million in city, state, and federal funding.
Photograph of Kingsbridge Armory, via edc.nyc.
The first phase centers on the adaptive reuse of the 180,000-square-foot Drill Hall within the armory, creating a new venue space, recreational areas, cultural and commercial space, 125,000 square feet of manufacturing and community-use space, and more than 25,000 square feet of dedicated community space. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with completion targeted for 2030. Phase two will redevelop the adjacent National Guard site to create approximately 500 units of permanently affordable rental housing, with completion anticipated by 2032.
Photograph of Kingsbridge Armory, via nyc.gov.
The project is projected to generate nearly $2.9 billion in economic impact and create approximately 3,600 jobs, with a focus on local hiring and union labor under a project labor agreement. A Community Benefits Agreement includes commitments to living wages, small business protections, sustainability, and tenant protections. A Community Council, co-led by NWBCCC, will oversee programming and investment through a Community Benefit Fund established as part of the development.
“Today’s vote to realize the community’s vision for the Kingsbridge Armory is a monumental achievement for our coalition, and a powerful testament to what’s possible through sustained collaborative community leadership,” said Sandra Lobo, executive director, NWBCCC. “This project centers community priorities, leverages local assets, and ensures that Bronx workers, residents, and small businesses have access to good family-sustaining jobs, affordable space and real opportunities to build shared wealth.”
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This has been a white elephant for years. At one point, I believe it was the largest space in the city which could be used for exhibitions and trade shows. My grandfather attended a stamp collectors show there in the 1930s-40s. The housing intended on the north side will have to squeeze into a 75 foot wide strip. While that side is not as architecturally significant as the south side, it seems unfortunate to crowd the site.
Considering the history of pitched and failed concepts, I’ll believe this is moving forward when I see real work being done.
In my opinion this still should have been some sort of athletics facility that woukd host national or even international level events. The programming they’re moving forward with sounds like they’re trying to do a little bit for everyone which usually ends up being not much for most.
Ahhh – something we can agree on. The National Ice Center was set to be built which would have done just that. Then the Deblasio administration killed it when he got in claiming they didn’t have enough funding. That was malarkey because ANY proposal was going to require some city and state funds. The undertone was that “oh people in the area aren’t into ice sports”. The Ice Center operationally would have sustained itself through ticket and merchandise sales – renting time to teams – and of course sponsorship for those national and international events you noted. Now – not only does this new “winning” proposal require MORE upfront subsist – it is very likely going to require annual operational subsidy. Ridiculous decisions.
Not to mention poorer children in the area who could have gotten free ice time and instruction and opportunities to compete for scholarships are also going to miss out. Politicians politicians
Again?
Wondering what is a ” cultural space ? ” Could it be that many ” community groups” are getting a piece of the pie? How many of the 3,600 jobs are permanent? New housing is not in the plan.