Edgemere Commons A1

Organization Name: The Arker Companies

Project Title: Edgemere Commons A1

Project Location: Edgemere, Queens

Project Description:
Edgemere Commons A1 is the first phase in an 11-building large-scale development project. A1 is a newly constructed, mixed-use building with 194 units of affordable housing and 23,000 square feet of commercial space, including a supermarket. The 194 units range from 30% to 80% AMI and include 58 supportive units, including 29 for formerly homeless individuals. The Edgemere Commons site was previously occupied by Peninsula Hospital, which was closed since 2012. The Arker Companies and Slate Property Group purchased the site and completed a large-scale rezoning in 2019. The rezoning permits 2,050 affordable residential units subject to Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, and significant ground floor commercial, medical and community facility space. During the rezoning process, the Arkers and Slate heard feedback from local residents that one of the most pressing needs in their community was a grocery store with fresh produce and healthy food. Noting this priority, Edgemere Commons A1 will include a ground-floor supermarket to serve the local community.

Community Impact:
Once fully leased, Edgemere Commons will bring a vibrant new community that many New Yorkers, including some of the city’s most vulnerable, can now call home. Edgemere Commons will have a transformative impact on the surrounding neighborhood by bringing new residents and commercial space as well as revitalizing the streetscape.

Edgemere Commons A1 will include onsite supportive services provided by Block Institute and WellLife Network. Block Institute will serve residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. WellLife Network will serve formerly homeless residents with severe mental illness.

The Arker Companies and Slate Property Group strongly believe in building sustainable building that will impact generations to come. As a part of this effort, some hardscaping elements like benches will be made of reclaimed wood. The project also features green roofs on multiple setback roof levels and a 47 KW solar panel system to produce nearly all of the necessary electricity for common area lighting. The building also includes large indoor and landscaped outdoor recreational spaces for residents.

Organization Description:
The Arker Companies and Slate Property Group are fully integrated development, construction, and property management companies. The Arker Companies is a third-generation family business, founded in 1949. The Arkers have developed more than 11,000 affordable housing units for very low and low-income residents. Over the last decade, the principals of Slate Property Group have purchased more than $4 billion in real estate assets totaling over 4,000 units across approximately 50 projects.

Team Members:

Slate Property Group
Block Institute
WellLife Network