Working with The Stagg Group, one of the Bronx’s most prominent developers, Marin Architects designed an 11-story, 142,000 square foot, mixed-use building on Webster Avenue. As a new venture to bring apartments to the Bronx as an affordable alternative to Manhattan or Brooklyn, the Norwood Gardens offer many features. To entice new residents, the building includes such amenities as retail and after-school programming.

Due to the nature of the project as a new multi-use development on a previously undeveloped property, municipal approval was required from various city agencies including the Department of Buildings, MTA Metro North, HPD, Inclusionary Housing, NYC Waterway Revitalization Program, NYC Office of Environmental Remediation, the Office of the Attorney General, and Enterprise Green Communities. Marin helped to coordinate all the necessary documentation to facilitate the approvals process.

To expedite the construction schedule, a Girder Slab system was used in the structural design. This steel and precast slab system is fabricated off-site and therefore decreases construction time of the building on-site. It is designed as a series of engineered components. In addition, its lightweight steel frame and shallow floor design is ideal for multi-story buildings where ceiling heights need to be maximized. Additionally, the slabs provide ample space for mechanical and electrical systems.

There are 12 apartments on floors 2 through 9, and there are 10 on each of the upper two floors. To meet with Inclusionary Housing requirements, the building is an 80/20, with 20 percent being affordable housing. The apartments provide underground parking in addition to an above ground lot. Common rooms and exercise facilities are also included as part of the programming. About 4,000 sq. ft. of retail is included on the ground floor.