YoungWoo & Associates, who last week purchased the landmark and historic Bronx General Post Office on the Grand Concourse and 149th Street in Melrose, have unveiled their preliminary plans for 150,000 square foot edifice.
In a press release issued this morning, YoungWoo & Associates declared:
“While development plans are to be unveiled at a future date, YWA intends to build upon the property’s legacy as a trophy of the Bronx and an iconic gateway to the borough. “The site is extremely accessible with six immediate links to Manhattan and over four million annual riders using the 149th street subway. There are over thirteen thousand students and several thousand more professionals in the immediate vicinity due to the building’s prime location across from Hostos Community College and Lincoln Medical Center, in addition to other nearby institutions” said Adam Zucker, Director of Business Development at YWA.”
YoungWoo & Associates has partnered up with the San Francisco based Bristol Group, a real estate investment and development firm, to restore the Bronx General Post Office to its former glory.
Not only will the exterior once again shine gloriously but the firms will also preserve and restore the landmarked lobby, including the 13 Ben Shahn murals. “We are firmly committed to honoring the building’s historic legacy and working with the USPS to ensure that the interior landmarked lobby, including “Resources of America”—the 13 murals created by the great American artists, Ben Shahn and Bernarnda Bryson—are honored, restored to their original glory and preserved for all to enjoy” said Mr. Zucker.
As discussed, the Post Office WILL REMAIN within the building and continue serving the community uninterrupted according to YoungWoo. The community’s fear of the loss of postal service at the site have been assuaged. “The United States Post Office will remain in the building and service will be uninterrupted throughout the redevelopment process. “Key to our interest in purchasing the building was the United States Post Office desire to remain a tenant for the immediate future. We are most enthusiastic about their intention to be part of our redevelopment plans, providing continued services for the surrounding community.”
As for what precisely will be done with the rest of the property remains unknown but given the company’s track record of innovative developments such as the short-lived Dekalb Market (which was unfortunately forced to shut down for a Century 21), Chelsea’s Sky Garage, and The Superpier at Pier 57 among others, it wouldn’t surprise us that they will probably create another market of sorts like the one we discussed. This, of course, is merely speculation but who knows? YoungWoo did after all mention in their press release that, “…bringing an innovative range of commercial uses to better serve the surrounding community is central to the developer’s plans.”
We’re excited to see what exactly YoungWoo & Associates has in store for us with this beautiful and beloved, landmarked Bronx treasure.
The Melrose, Grand Concourse and surrounding neighborhoods just got a little bit brighter than they already are.
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