A NEW 3-STORY ROOFTOP ADDITION THAT’S NOT FOR THE RICH
Rendering of rooftop addition at 902-904 Amsterdam Avenue by Delacour & Ferrara Architects.
Most rooftop apartments on the Upper West Side are playthings for the ultra-rich, another layer on the wedding cake of life in the 0.1%. But one of the rooftop additions we recently wrote about at Amsterdam Avenue and 104th street is actually being built for formerly homeless people who now need supportive housing.
And although it appeared to be quite an eyesore when we posted construction photos, the owners assure us that it will blend in better once it’s complete. They sent us the rendering above and the letter below:
“Cluster House, located at 904 Amsterdam is a building that housed formerly homeless adults until 2011. For the past 30 years, it has been owned and operated by Urban Pathways, an organization dedicated to ending homeless through the development of affordable, supportive housing. Urban Pathways is currently transforming the building from a 48-bed apartment treatment facility to a 52-unit supportive housing residence for individuals ready for more independent living than those who resided in the pre-renovated building. In order to create 52 separate studio apartments and maintain appropriate community space and an outside garden, the renovation of the building includes the addition of three additional floors. While it currently appears that the addition is a concrete structure, it will eventually be faced to match the building’s original façade and to appropriately blend into the surrounding housing stock.
The building, opening in March 2014, will employ over 20 staff members, create 52 units of affordable housing that is greatly needed in the City, and will provide a community space for both our clients and other community groups that may need space for meetings and other gatherings. Urban Pathways looks forward to being a contributing member of the UWS community.”
this addition is not a pretty sight.
setting aside its function (for a moment) this addition perched anywhere below 86th street, would be voted into oblivion in a new york minute.
why can’t the 99% (or any portion thereof), have beautiful architecture and great design? it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.
good for them! “supportive housing” is a good policy and we need more, not less, of it in our community — a positive way to address the housing crisis.
I am a 52 Y/o w/m who has been homeless for 19 months and although I have been approved for 2010(e) and on SSI my case worker has yet to find me suitable housing. I sleep in the back of an AA meeting room on 96th and Amsterdam. other times is a floor in LIC queens. I saw your organization on 104 and Amsterdam and was wondering if I can get help in ending my homelessness?