Magnusson Architecture + Planning recently completed work on MLK Plaza, a 13-story, 167-unit affordable residential building in the Bronx. The development includes 25 studios, 57 one-bedroom units, 60 two-bedroom units, and 24 three-bedroom units. 100% of the apartments will be affordable to very low-income renters.
MLK Plaza residents will have access to recreation and community rooms, a rear patio, and a gym on the seventh floor with an adjacent outdoor terrace. The gym and terrace are part of active design interventions to encourage physical health. Their location on the seventh floor is midway between the top and bottom floors to encourage residents to use the stairs. The stairwells also incorporate active design principles such as double height landings and windows for natural light and views.
Photo credit: Miguel de Guzman / ImagenSubliminal.
See Also: Sweden’s tallest timber building is open for business
The exterior features dark gray brick as a nod to the neighborhood’s industrial past. Metal panels with a gold hue were also used on the exterior to provide a bright counterpoint to the brick. A fully-glazed double-height corner lobby is framed by diagonal columns. The lobby provides natural daylight to the ground floor during the day and creates street-level illumination at night. One of the lobby’s walls includes a mural of MLK.
The development was designed to achieve LEED Platinum.
Photo credit: Miguel de Guzman / ImagenSubliminal.
Photo credit: Miguel de Guzman / ImagenSubliminal.
Photo credit: Miguel de Guzman / ImagenSubliminal.
Photo credit: Miguel de Guzman / ImagenSubliminal.
Photo credit: Miguel de Guzman / ImagenSubliminal.
Photo credit: Miguel de Guzman / ImagenSubliminal.
Related Stories
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | May 10, 2022
6 steps to designing a modern wine display
Design-focused wine displays are becoming increasingly popular in amazing residential and commercial properties throughout the world. Top design/build professionals are using stylish wine racks and other premium materials to create wine cellars that are too beautiful to hide in out-of-the-way places like dusty basements. This course explains why wine cellars have become so popular and the key aspects of designing an appealing modern wine cellar, broken into six planning steps that should be considered during pre- or early-construction phases.
Multifamily Housing | May 10, 2022
Multifamily rents up 14.3% in 2022
The average U.S. asking rent for multifamily housing increased $15 in April to an all-time high of $1,659, according to Yardi Matrix.
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | May 8, 2022
Choosing the right paver system for rooftop amenity spaces
This AIA course by Hoffmann Architects offers best practices for choosing the right paver system for rooftop amenity spaces in multifamily buildings.
Building Team | May 6, 2022
Atlanta’s largest adaptive reuse project features cross laminated timber
Global real estate investment and management firm Jamestown recently started construction on more than 700,000 sf of new live, work, and shop space at Ponce City Market.
Multifamily Housing | May 5, 2022
An Austin firm touts design and communal spaces in its student housing projects
Rhode Partners has multiple towers in various development stages.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | May 3, 2022
For glass openings, how big is too big?
Advances in glazing materials and glass building systems offer a seemingly unlimited horizon for not only glass performance, but also for the size and extent of these light, transparent forms. Both for enclosures and for indoor environments, novel products and assemblies allow for more glass and less opaque structure—often in places that previously limited their use.
Multifamily Housing | May 3, 2022
Call for Kitchen+Bath projects and products – for next issue of "MULTIFAMILY Design+Construction" (no charge to participate!)
Multifamily AEC firms and developers and product manufacturers can submit Kitchen+Bath projects and products – for the next issue of "MULTIFAMILY Design+Construction."
Multifamily Housing | May 1, 2022
Kraus-Anderson helps fill void in tight Twin Cities housing market
One project just came online, and another apartment building should be completed this summer.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 26, 2022
Fitness centers for multifamily housing: Advice from 'Dr. Fitness,' Karl Smith
In this episode for HorizonTV, Cortland's Karl Smith shares best practices for designing, siting, and operating fitness centers in apartment communities.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 26, 2022
Investment firm Blackstone makes $13 billion acquisition in student-housing sector
Blackstone Inc., a New York-based investment firm, has agreed to buy student-housing owner American Campus Communities Inc.
