4697 Third Avenue

Organization Name: Curtis + Ginsberg Architects

Project Title: 4697 Third Avenue

Project Location: Bronx

Project Description:
4697 Third Avenue transforms a vacant city-owned parcel into thriving, highly sustainable, mixed-use affordable housing. The 63,000 SF, 8-story building of 53 affordable apartments fosters a strong community while strengthening and extending the retail corridor around the Fordham Metro-North station. Its design balances the neighborhood’s changing industrial and emerging residential contexts with sculptural window fins and a massing that rises and twists as it responds to the highly visible site. The building is Passive House + and Enterprise Green Communities certified. A tightly sealed enclosure improves comfort and energy efficiency. Window AC units utilize an innovative double-window system that allows them to be sealed off during the heating season and thermally isolated from the interior, resulting in energy savings, lower operational costs, and reduced risk of refrigerant leaks. Off-the-shelf products are paired with innovative details, like the window fins that reduce solar heat gain. On-site power is generated by a rooftop photovoltaic pergola. These standout details contribute to the project’s sustainability goals while communicating the building’s ambition and distinctive design.

Community Impact:
4697 Third Avenue demonstrates that affordable housing can be high-performing and economically feasible while contributing to building its community. Central to the project is a goal to create a strong sense of place—as an anchor for the neighborhood and a welcoming home for residents that enriches their lives, improves health, and reduces energy and housing costs. Active Design principles are integrated throughout, with ample natural light, expansive views, artwork, bike storage, and indoor and outdoor recreation space, including a terrace enriched with native plantings and hand-crafted playground equipment.

The building’s Passive House design curbs the effects of particulate matter on occupant health in a neighborhood with high asthma rates, and addresses heat vulnerability on a commercial strip lacking green space. 2010 rezoning and an inclusionary housing program spur Third Avenue's transformation to mid-density residential and commercial developments. In this context, the project provides a full first floor of retail activating surrounding streets along with streetscape enhancements and six stories of affordable dwelling units above, including a set aside for formerly homeless households.

Organization Description:
Bronx Pro Group LLC is a neighborhood-based firm employing professionals and support staff engaged in real estate development, construction, property management, resident services, and asset management. Curtis + Ginsberg Architects is an award-winning architecture and planning firm with a mission to improve the built environment in a sustainable and socially conscious manner.

Team Members:

Curtis+Ginsberg: Architects. Bronx Pro Group: Developer. Steven Winter Associates: Energy and UFAS. Harriet Grimm: Landscape. Skyline: MEP. De Nardis: Structural. HomeBuilders 1 LP: Contractor.