Tag: Lower Concourse

Exclusive: First Market Rate Condos Planned for E 138th Street in Lower Concourse Rezoning Area

The gentrification of the South Bronx is in full swing despite denials by our borough president, Ruben Diaz Jr, that it isn’t happening.

Yesterday we reported on the expansion of the landmarked Clocktower Loft Apartments and today we share the exclusive story of the first market-rate condominiums coming to the Lower Concourse Rezoning Area.

The old 2 story factories at 221 E 138th Street at Canal Place has been torn down and in its place will rise a 7 story, 50 unit condominium development with ground floor commercial space according to Anthony Gurino of Tahoe Development which purchased the buildings for $2,800,000 in September 2015.

Another Hotel Coming To The South Bronx Along With 2 More “Affordable” Housing Buildings

The development and construction boom continues (frankly it hasn’t stopped since the rise of Melrose Commons which reached a crescendo in 2011 and picked up again last year) in The South Bronx and now yet another hotel is coming to the area along with a 12 story and a 13 story mixed-income “affordable housing” apartments.

Yet Another Luxury Hotel Coming To The South Bronx

While the well-established and world-renowned Marriott Hotel chain seems to be having problems and delay after delay in opening its first Bronx hotel in the East Bronx, developers are taking advantage of the transportation rich neighborhoods of Melrose and Mott Haven.

Welcome2TheBronx has just learned from our friends over at YIMBY that plans have been filed for a 75 room luxury hotel at 335 Grand Concourse and East 140th Street.

Another Boutique Hotel To Open In Melrose Adding More Lodging Options In The South Bronx

Melrose and The South Bronx are experiencing a boom in the hotel industry.

First the luxury boutique Opera House Hotel opened on 149th street between Brook and Bergen and now coming this fall is the Umbrella Hotel. Located at 681 Elton Avenue between E 153rd & E 154th Streets right off 3rd Avenue, the 7 story building will house 56 rooms with rates varying from $129 – $159 per night said one of the owners and Bronxite, Manny Chadah of AMG Elton LLC.

A Walk Through The Lower Concourse Rezoning District In The South Bronx

The other day I decided to take walk around the Lower Concourse Rezoning District so that I can document the area before it starts changing and buildings are either demolished or converted.

What struck me the most was the number of available signs for entire buildings or lots to be developed that weren’t there before. It seems that owners are starting to pay attention to the media coverage and beginning to market their properties.

Morris Court, First Development In The Lower Concourse Rezoning District, Nearing Completion

Morris Court, which began construction two years ago after demolishing almost an entire block (only one property owner did not sell), is nearing completion as the first development to take advantage of the Lower Concourse rezoning approved back in 2009.

The $69 million complex, when complete, will include 201 mixed low & middle income units for families with incomes ranging from approximately $28,595 to $90,700 per year. 25% of the units will be set aside for families that were formerly homeless.

The Bronx Leads New York State With Residents Paying The Highest Percentage Of Income For Rent: Illustrates Affordable Housing Crisis Further

New York State Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli released a report today which tells us what we already knew in the Bronx: That there is an affordable housing crisis in our borough.

According to the report, “Incomes and housing costs vary regionally statewide and are generally higher in the New York City metropolitan area, although housing affordability is a statewide challenge. Bronx County, for example, had the highest proportion of renters with housing costs of 30 percent or more of income in 2012, at nearly 58 percent.”

It’s no secret that Bronxites are struggling to make ends meet and even though the Bronx saw some of the highest numbers of new construction affordable housing units in the city, rising rents and stagnant income are keeping many of our residents in a perpetual cycle of poverty.

1st Annual Bronx Gentrification Conference This Saturday December 7th

Gentrification is a very controversial topic which brings out a lot of passionate opinions both in favor and against gentrification.

The question of whether the South Bronx, particularly Melrose, Mott Haven, Port Morris, and the Lower Concourse, will ever gentrify is no longer the correct one. The question is when.