The landmark Bronx General Post Office on the Grand Concourse is for sale once again just a little over 4 years since it was sold by the United States Postal Service to Youngwoo and Associates for $19 million.
Youngwoo had grandiose plans to turn the beloved landmark building into a Chelsea market-like development (an idea originally proposed by Welcome2TheBronx 6 months before the developer was chosen as the winning bid for the property) but the project never really materialized and the developer did not disclose the exact reasons as to why despite heavy marketing.
Marketing materials described “Bronx Post Place” as a new town square for the South Bronx with 20,000 square feet of prime retail space including first rate food hall, 25,000 square feet of private offices, and a 7,500 square foot rooftop restaurant with indoor/outdoor space.
Since its purchase in 2014, the landmarked interior lobby’s 13 Ben Shan murals from the Works Progress Administration of the New Deal Era were beautifully restored by the developer as well as moving the actual post office facility to the north of the building with an entrance along E 150th Street.
But as to the exact details of what exactly has been done beyond the gutting of the building and associated costs, Youngwoo has been tight-lipped.
One thing is clear, however, is that the building appears far from being completed and it is well beyond the original expected opening date of Spring 2017 which was subsequently pushed to “2018”.
According to the developer, details of the sale, including the sales price, could not be disclosed as the process is ongoing.
In an exclusive email to Welcome2TheBronx from Bryan Woo, a principal at Youngwoo and Associates, he said, “As to your question on why we are selling, the sales process is ongoing so we are not able to comment at this time.”
“However, we can state without hesitation that we believe in the present and the future of the Bronx and we are committed to continuing to bring great projects like the Bronx Post Office to this vibrant community.” added Woo.
What about our rich past including all the trials and tribulations The Bronx and its people have gone through? Are those not worthy enough to believe in?
Welcome2TheBronx was the first to break the story when the USPS announced its intention to sell the property back in 2013 when local resident and Hostos Community College Archivist and Associate Professor William Casari spotted a flyer announcing the sale.
Now with the property potentially being transferred to another owner, the fate and future use of the Bronx General Post Office is unknown.
This isn’t the first high profile property in the South Bronx being dumped and flipped for a profit as Rubenstein and Chetrit sold their development site in Port Morris for $165 million after hyping up 6 to 7 market rate rental towers with thousands of units.
Will the Bronx General Post Office be yet another project like the Old Bronx Courthouse that will sit vacant for decades?
You must be logged in to post a comment.