Sutphin Boulevard/Breaking Ground Affordable Housing

Queens, NY

This project is situated at the leading edge of the transformative redevelopment of Downtown Jamaica (specifically the Special Downtown Jamaica District). A neighborhood previously dominated by low-slung commercial strips and single-family homes, the SDJD is now home to several commercial and residential high rises, mixed use developments, and hotels fed by the LIRR/MTA terminal just a few blocks north of the site.

The podium of the building, which contains 173 units of affordable housing dedicated to seniors, supportive services, and a 15,000sf space for the Community Healthcare Network, is ‘split’ into two volumes: a five-story portion faces east and holds the residential entry, while a six-story portion holds the heavily-trafficked corner and runs along the north lot line.

Richly textured charcoal (for the tower and residential base) and glossy cerulean blue (for the main podium) bricks were chosen for their specularity, grabbing light from oblique angles and reflecting the sky and adjacent buildings. As the building sets back from the street, ‘panels’ of rusticated brick break up the solidity of the mass and introduce additional texture, while simultaneously reinforcing the order of the window grid.

This building is pursuing Passive House certification.

Construction is ongoing, with occupancy expected in late 2025/early 2026

Renderings by Secchi Smith

Location
Jamaica, Queens
Size
135,000sf
Status
Under Construction
Client
Breaking Ground
Project Team
Brandon Pietras, Thom Medek, Kolby Forbes, Ann Le, Ayman Rouhani, Po-Yu Chung
Consultant Team
Silman (Structural Engineering), Dagher (MEP/FP), FLUX Studio (Lighting), Terrain (Landscape), Bright Power (Sustainability)