OCV Architects

From right to left: Richman Group’s Bill Traylor, HPD Commissioner Shaun Donovan, Phipps Chairman Ronay Menschel, New York City Councilwoman Maria Baez, NYCHA Chairman Tino Herenandez, New York Municipal, Art Society, Brian Connolly, A representative from Citibank, Phipps President and C.E.O. Adam Winestein, NYCHA Executive Director Doug Apple and Representatives from HDC
  
Phipps Houses and OCV architects have broken ground on Fabria Houses, a new construction project, making a better NY by adding 64 units of affordable housing to the East Village, all part of Mayor Bloomberg's New Housing Marketplace Plan. Fabria is in Partnership with NYCHA, HPD, HDC, Richman Housing Resources, LLC and Citibank.  The groundbreaking ceremony took place on a chilly November 29th 2007 on East 7th Street.  

Partner at OCV Architects Richard Vitto and Phipps Group Matthew Kelly
 
OCV Architects has completed many projects in recent years where authorities, non-profits and the private sector have come together and successfully redeveloped neglected properties in New York City.  According to Phipps Houses Group President and CEO Adam Weinstein, “It has been gratifying to see the City’s major housing agencies…come together with the community, elected officials and Phipps Houses to make new affordable housing units possible…We look forward to many more such partnerships with government and the private sector to produce affordable housing for New Yorkers in need.”

New York City Housing Authority Chairman Tino Hernandez addresses the crowd.
Center: Brian Conolly of the Municipal Arts Society of New York
 
All of the units accommodate households earning $42,540 for a family of four or $29,760 for a single person.  Twenty percent of the units will be marked for households earning up to $28,360 for a family of four or $19,840 for a single household.  The rehabilitation of the existing structures at 410, 426 and 428 East 11th Street will yield 27 units and the land from 212-214 East 7th Street to 617-621 East 9th Street will yield 37 new units.

Background: Phipps Chairman Ronay Menschel
Foreground: Councilwoman Maria Baez
 

Phipps Bob Pinkuss and OCV Architects Partner, Sara Arnold

From left to right:
NYCHA Executive Director Doug Apple, OCV Architects Sara Arnold and Carla Pena, NYCHA Chairman Tino Hernandez

Far right:
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer

| Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

October 2007, New York, NY: At its annual Gala / Fund Raiser, SHNNY honored The Christopher residence in Manhattan and The Cornerstone Residence in Newburgh as their “Residences of the Year”— both designed by OCV Architects.

Common Ground Community sponsored the Christopher to provide urban housing for homeless adults and for teens aging out of Foster Care. Safe Harbors on the Hudson spearheaded the partnership to build the Cornerstone residence — an example of what a community can provide for it’s neediest while revitalizing the community as a whole. This Newburgh, N.Y. residence houses families and artists as well as small businesses and a theater.

430 Network members attended the event including OCV's Richard Vitto, architect of the two outstanding projects. Mr. Vitto has been designing supportive housing for most of his 30+year career in architecture and this unprecedented SHNNY double honor is a testament to his vision.

SHNNY published a gala journal highlighting the event contributors and honorees. The journal states "The Cornerstone Residence is a stunning example of supportive housing addressing the needs of homeless and at-risk New Yorkers. The Network is proud to honor the Cornerstone as a Residence of the Year." The Gala journal (pdf) also pointed out the timeliness of each projects' ‘green’ features and went on to state: "… the Christopher is an exceptional supportive residence that brings out the best in architectural and program design to help more than 200 homeless and housing-needy residents rebuild their lives."

The projects are also extraordinary transformations of existing structures. In these cases, the rehabilitation of a former YMCA and a former grand Hotel makes these buildings examples of the contribution cities, large and small, can expect of forgotten properties. Both projects also focus on space, light and the latest in sustainable materials, finishes and design approach, while working within the budget constraints publicly funded developments traditionally encounter.

“It was a pleasure and an honor to work with these two fine organizations.” Mr. Vitto stated. “Both projects involved complex phasing and construction organization due to the need to accommodate existing occupancies. This coupled with the requirements of multiple programs made each project a fascinating challenge.” 

| Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Norwood News: "Making a Mark"
Published in the November 1, 2007 Edition

Norwood News article about the departure of Pat Logan from the Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation after a decade of making a better New York. OCV's Jacob's Place is mentioned as his latest achievement.

Norwood News: "Affordable and 'Green' Building Honors Activist"
Published in the Oct. 18 - 31, 2007 Edition

This Norwood News feature describes the legacy of Bronx activist Astin Jacobo as it is hornored by the creation of Jacob's Place, the first "Green" supportive Housing project in the U.S.

| Permalink | TrackBacks (0)