La Ostra

Organization Name: Comunilife, Slate Property Group, Xenolith Partners LLC

Project Title: La Ostra

Project Location: Inwood, NY

Project Description:
The winning proposal for HPD’s Inwood RFP, La Ostra will provide over 600 affordable homes for families and seniors along with a marine science center, an indoor-outdoor field house, mental health services, commercial space, and a publicly accessible waterfront. The two-building development responds to both the opportunities and challenges presented by the site’s shoreline location with extensive climate resiliency measures and ecosystem restoration efforts. The project will target Passive House certification, incorporate regenerative design principles, and feature innovative renewable energy production and storage technologies. Flood mitigation through building elevation and landscape design is prioritized, and multiple community rooms will be available to serve as places of refuge during emergencies. In addition to the public spaces that this development provides, residents will have access to common rooms and terraces spread across multiple floors that take advantage of some of the best views in the buildings. On-site supportive services will be available to residents, and the development will include dedicated space for mental health resources available to youth in the community as well.

Community Impact:
With nearly an acre of public waterfront space and a marine science center focused on STEM education, La Ostra represents a dedicated effort to engage the community in ecosystem restoration and connect the neighborhood to the Harlem River. The landscape design includes features like outdoor classrooms, a pavilion, and circulation paths that support dynamic programs by partner organizations Billion Oyster Project and BioBus. Along with new public green space, La Ostra brings resiliency measures and regenerative/sustainable design strategies that will improve the climate adaptability of the entire neighborhood. The development will also include the “Oyster Field House,” a new indoor-outdoor flexible space for soccer, farmer’s markets, movie nights and other programming that will provide a place for residents and community members of all ages to gather, play, and socialize. Community members can also take advantage of IT career training through NPower and mental health services and suicide prevention resources by Comunilife. The residential program responds to the community’s need for inclusive, quality, sustainable and affordable housing with over 400 units for families and 200 for seniors.

Organization Description:
Development partners include Slate Property Group, Xenolith Partners, and Comunilife. Slate Property Group is a leading developer of affordable and mixed-use housing that excels in delivering transformative developments tailored to the needs of communities. Xenolith is a certified WBE that specializes in affordable housing with a focus on equity, sustainability, and regenerative design. Comunilife is a nonprofit pioneer in affordable and supportive housing as well as Latino-based community programs.

Team Members:

Comunilife, Slate Property Group, Xenolith Partners LLC, Magnusson Architecture & Planning (MAP), +Labs, terrain-nyc, Billion Oyster Project, BioBus, NPower, Jordan Weber (Artist)