At approximately 280,000-sf, The Smile, a new mixed-use development design by Bjarke Ingles Group, bridges Harlem’s active 125th Street corridor and the quieter 126th Street.
The project will combine a nursing school on the street level with residential apartment units above. One-third of the apartments will be affordable units. The project’s T-shaped footprint will offer a diverse set of unit sizes and layouts while also strengthening the connection with neighboring buildings. The southern cantilevered portion of the building will appear to hover over the existing commercial building on 125h Street, creating a dynamic component in the evolving uptown streetscape.
Interior spaces comprise raw architectural materials such as wood, exposed concrete, and exposed steel trusses. Entrances are tiled with splashes of colored concrete that draws inspiration from the neighborhood’s murals.
Building amenities include a fitness center, a media room, relaxation spas, social lounges, and workspaces that overlook a three-story gallery. Located on the roof will be whirlpool spas, a swimming pool, and roof decks surrounded by landscaped features that provide space for social activities and gatherings.
The building’s facade gently slopes inwards as it rises, softening the hard linear street edge. This design allows the building massing to comply with the city’s zoning envelope while also enabling the residential street to have more direct sunlight. The interlocking checkerboard facade panel system allows for floor-to-ceiling windows in each residential unit.
Related Stories
Mixed-Use | Oct 9, 2023
A coastal California city reawakens its downtown
The Prado West mixed-use redevelopment gives Dana Point a new look.
Mixed-Use | Oct 5, 2023
Mixed-use pieces supporting a master plan in North Carolina fall into place
Near Chatham Park, a new multifamily housing community follows the opening of a shopping center.
Contractors | Sep 25, 2023
Balfour Beatty expands its operations in Tampa Bay, Fla.
Balfour Beatty is expanding its leading construction operations into the Tampa Bay area offering specialized and expert services to deliver premier projects along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Mixed-Use | Sep 20, 2023
Tampa Bay Rays, Hines finalize deal for a stadium-anchored multiuse district in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team announced that it has reached an agreement with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County on a $6.5 billion, 86-acre mixed-use development that will include a new 30,000-seat ballpark and an array of office, housing, hotel, retail, and restaurant space totaling 8 million sf.
Adaptive Reuse | Sep 19, 2023
Transforming shopping malls into 21st century neighborhoods
As we reimagine the antiquated shopping mall, Marc Asnis, AICP, Associate, Perkins&Will, details four first steps to consider.
Resort Design | Sep 18, 2023
Luxury resort provides new housing community for its employees
The Wisteria community will feature a slew of exclusive amenities, including a market, pub, and fitness center, in addition to 33 new patio homes.
Adaptive Reuse | Aug 31, 2023
Small town takes over big box
GBBN associate Claire Shafer, AIA, breaks down the firm's recreational adaptive reuse project for a small Indiana town.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 115 Architecture Engineering Firms for 2023
Stantec, HDR, Page, HOK, and Arcadis North America top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture engineering (AE) firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
2023 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
A record 552 AEC firms submitted data for BD+C's 2023 Giants 400 Report. The final report includes 137 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 175 Architecture Firms for 2023
Gensler, HKS, Perkins&Will, Corgan, and Perkins Eastman top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.