Via Verde Puts Remaining Co-ops on Market

By Dees Stribling, Contributing Editor

New York—Via Verde, a mixed rental and co-op building in the Melrose section of the South Bronx, has put the rest of its co-op units on the market. The move comes on the heels of a successful lease-up of the rental portion of the property, which was done by lottery was in December for 151 units at rents ranging from $800 to $1,200. The move-ins will be in April.

The entire property has 222 units. Besides the rental units, it also includes 71 co-ops, 35 of which are now available. The available co-ops all measure 872 square feet and include two bedrooms and one bath. The sales are being handled in-house, with a set price of $146,000 for each unit.

The other co-ops, which vary in size from 800 square feet to 1,500 square feet, were designed as affordable housing and sold through a lottery in November. Those properties fetched between $135,000 and $193,000, and were available to households with incomes between $54,000 and $145,000.

Developed by Phipps Houses and Jonathan Rose Cos., and designed by Dattner Architects and Grimshaw Architects, Via Verde is the winning response to the New Housing New York Legacy Competition. Certified LEED gold, the property is well known locally as a sustainable development (its named translates to “Green Way”).

The property features a distinctive stepped form with a garden that serves as its organizing architectural element. The connected green rooftops of Via Verde’s low-rise town homes, mid-rise duplex building, and 20-story tower will be used to harvest rainwater, grow fruits and vegetables, and provide open space for residents. Other health-oriented amenities include open-air courtyards; a health education and wellness center proposed to be operated by Montefiore Medical Center; health-oriented retail space; a fitness center; and bicycle storage areas.