David Adjaye’s housing project in Sugar Hill nears completion

The $80 million affordable housing project in the Sugar Hill district of New York City is nearing completion. Led by British architect David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates, this textured, slab building will also include an educational and cultural arts center.

Commissioned by the Broadway Housing Communities, construction started in July 2012 and was made possible by generous philanthropic support. According to Broadway Housing Communities’ website, the development “will transform an underutilized site into a green model of urban community revitalization that integrates affordable housing, education and cultural resources to enrich the neighborhood for generations to come.”

Among these resources are the Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling, which will “celebrate the rich heritage of this historic neighborhood” and engage visitors in “activities related to art and storytelling,” museum-based early childhood education, nonprofit resources for families and 124 apartments with the highest standard of affordable housing.

According to Adjaye Associate's website, the textured cladding is achieved with "rose embossed pre-cast panels" for an ornamental effect. Both façades have saw-toothed fenestration that reference the bay windows common in Sugar Hill. The windows also frame 360 degree views of Central Park, One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, the Hudson and Harlem Rivers and the new Yankee Stadium.

To learn more about the project, visit BHC’s official website.