Phipps Houses and Jonathan Rose Companies are co-developing Via Verde/The GreenWay, a mixed-income, mixed-use project in the Bronxchester neighborhood that establishes a new standard for green, affordable housing in New York City. Via Verde was the winning proposal in the New Housing New York Legacy Project competition sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the City of New York as the first ever juried design competition for affordable, sustainable housing.

A primary goal of the Via Verde project was to incorporate features to encourage healthy living, while providing innovative, high quality and sustainable design on a difficult City-owned site. The 221-unit project will provide a range of affordable housing opportunities, including rental and ownership, for New Yorkers of varying household incomes and compositions.

Via Verde includes three distinct building types – a 20-story tower at the north end of the site, a mid-rise building in the middle, and townhouses to the south. The buildings are organized around a central courtyard that spirals up through a series of south-facing roof gardens to create a promenade that culminates in a sky terrace with dramatic views of Downtown Bronx and Manhattan to the south.

Via Verde is being designed to exceed LEED Gold and Enterprise Green Communities standards for environmentally responsible and energy efficient design. Passive, low-tech strategies include cross ventilation in all apartments, solar shading, and planted green roofs to provide insulation and control storm water. High-efficiency mechanical systems, energy-conserving appliances, and renewable energy strategies, including solar voltaic canopies, make use of innovative technologies. Smart material choices, including non-toxic paints and rapidly renewable wood products, will improve the air quality for residents and conserve natural resources.

Tenant Population
Via Verde will be a vibrant mixed-income community with 221 residential units in a variety of unit types, including townhouses, live-work units, and duplex apartments. A total of 71 units will be sold to middle-income households at 110% of AMI or approximately $85,000 for a family of four. The remaining 150 units will be rented to low- and moderate-income households earning between 30 and 90% of AMI.

Financing Structure
Total project development cost of approximately $99 million will be partly financed with taxable bonds issued by the NYC Housing Development Corporation, low-interest loan funds from NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and incentive payments through the NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program.

Phipps Houses' Role
With Jonathan Rose Companies, Co-sponsor, Co-developer, Co-owner and Managing Agent

Schedule
Under construction; expected completion in late 2012.

Partners
Jonathan Rose Companies
NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development
NYC Housing Development Corporation
NYS Division of Housing & Community Renewal
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Dattner Architects
Grimshaw Architects
Lettire Construction