Excelsior II

Organization Name: The Briarwood Organization, LLC

Project Location: 1265-1259 Nelson Avenue & 120-126 West 169th Street, Bronx, NY

Project Description:
The Briarwood Organization, LLC through its general contracting entity, constructed this 9 story, 60-unit affordable family housing residence on behalf of a not-profit developer, Highbridge Community Development Corporation (HCDC). Excelsior II features community rooms, roof decks and outdoor garden areas as well as onsite parking for 18 cars. Because of sub-terrarium rock formations, much of the cellar and foundation footprint required extensive excavation through granite; this was both expensive and time consuming. The building façade consists of multi-color brick and metal panels, which complement the surrounding neighborhood both in color and scale. The parking is under the building and in the rear, accessed by a driveway that goes under the building. The project is connected to and integrated into the owner's existing building.

Community Impact:
The Excelsior II development received support from a number of local nonprofit organizations and community leaders, including: Astor Services for Children, Highbridge Community Life, Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, and others. Excelsior II is providing 60 families with safe, new, state-of-the-art housing that would otherwise be unaffordable. The development targets low-income and very-low income NYC renters, with 15% of the units reserved for households, which include someone who is physically disabled.

Organization Description:
Briarwood began with one family homes in 1912 & has evolved into a respected, active developer with in excess of 5,000,000 sqft of residential, retail & office space. Briarwood operates in areas consisting of real estate development, general contracting, & management. With these capabilities, Briarwood has become a prolific and highly versatile real estate group. Briarwood has extensive experience developing thousands of affordable units with city & state agencies, including HDC, HPD, HCR & AHC utilizing LIHTC, SLIHC, Bonds, AHC, HDC Coop, ELLA & Home.

Team Members:

The Briarwood Organization, LLC, L. Riso & Sons Co, Inc., Excel Nelson L.P., Highbridge Community Development. Corp., Barbara Leeds & Associates, Steven Winter Associates, SLCE Architects