Last year, residential development in the South Bronx was booming. This year, builders are looking at their future tax bills – without the 421-a tax break – and realizing that it’s safer and cheaper to build hotels than apartments.
The Azimuth Development Group is planning an expansive mixed-use project at 1755 Watson Avenue, between Rosedale Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue, in the Soundview section of the Bronx. The 250,000-square-foot building will house 250 mixed-income residential units, plus 20,000 square feet of retail space. With the residential units spread across 230,000 square feet, that means units averaging about 920 square feet. Aufgang Architects is the designer.
Newburgh, NY-based property owner Artan Prelaj has filed applications for two three-story residential buildings spanning the 1330-1332 Taylor Avenue, in northern Soundview, three blocks from the 6 train’s stop at St Lawrence Avenue. The development will net eight residential units and will spread across 5,580 square feet, for units averaging a rental-sized 700 square feet. Fred Geremia is the architect of record, and the site’s former 2.5-story structure was demolished earlier this year.
Nelson Management paid $51.5 million for the four-building, rent-stabilized complex known as Lafayette Boynton in the Soundview section of the South Bronx in 2011, and they just spent another $17 million renovating its 972 apartments. Now the Forest Hills-based firm plans to build two more 13-story towers in the sprawling development next to Soundview Park.
A Queens-based movie studio plans to build two new production facilities at 801 Colgate Avenue and 1410 Story Avenue in Soundview, right along the Bronx River waterfront in the southeastern part of the borough.
