St. James Terrace

Organization Name: Dattner Architects, Concern Housing Partners, Duvernay + Brooks

Project Title: St. James Terrace

Project Location: Bronx, NY

Project Description:
St. James Terrace is a supportive and affordable housing development and community center adjacent to the landmarked St. James Episcopal Church in the Bronx. The south end of the new residential building incorporates a monumental entrance from Jerome Avenue to the existing church site. The Gothic arches visually connect the double-height passageway to the historic buildings. As you move through the entrance arcade, the arched openings frame oblique and axial views of the “English country church on a hill” before opening on to a new, landscaped courtyard. This outdoor room is proposed as a new cloister or “close” for the church that ties together the new building, the existing Parish House, and the sanctuary. The new building and site design replace a parking lot, creating new ways to view and access the historic buildings while providing much-needed housing and new services to the Fordham community.

Community Impact:
St. James Terrace meets community needs by providing safe, sustainable, and affordable housing; access to integrated medical and behavioral health care; culturally competent services; financial literacy and vocational training; and empowerment-driven recovery planning among other resident resources. In addition to offering supportive services, St. James Terrace complies with all Housing Finance Agency (HFA) energy efficiency and sustainability standards, including the Climate Bond Initiative. Building systems were carefully selected and right-sized to conserve energy, meet performance criteria, and provide residents with individual control of their indoor environments—promoting well-being and helping residents thrive in permanent housing.

The new building also includes a purpose-built community facility for St. James Fordham Church with a fellowship hall, commercial kitchen with servery, and credit union office. Operated by the church, it serves parishioners and the broader Fordham community through weekly food pantry distribution and flexible meeting space that expands and modernizes church services for the underserved neighborhood.

Organization Description:
Dattner Architects is a mission-driven, women-owned design firm creating engaging and impactful architecture. Our foundation is civic architecture. We proudly take on the planning and design of the region’s most essential projects, creating architecture that enriches the urban experience, transforms environments, and strengthens communities. We have earned a strong reputation for leading complex projects and developing innovative, implementable solutions. Our projects are recognized for creating livable density and environmental equity.

Team Members:

Concern Housing Partners, Duvernay + Brooks, Dattner Architects, Silman, Dagher Engineering, Langan, Starr Whitehouse, Higgins Quasebarth & Partners, LLC, HLB Lighting Design, Hospitality House, SWA