In an effort to introduce more affordable senior housing in New York City, NYCHA made a portion of its public housing site available in an open competition. Teamed with West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, NYCHA selected Perkins Eastman’s design for this prominent corner in the Mott Haven section of The Bronx. The nine-story Mill Brook Terrace provides 156 residences for seniors, including a large portion for the homeless. Two-thirds of the apartments are one-bedroom with the remaining comprising studio units. Located at the corner of E 137th St and St. Ann’s Ave, an active pedestrian zone, the building includes a large senior center offering daily programs, social services, and meals. The lower level features a multi-function community room for special events, classes, and social gatherings. Mill Brook Terrace’s two distinct “fronts” create welcoming gestures to the neighborhood-at-large and residents of neighboring NYCHA buildings. Though on a tight urban site, the landscape is designed to offer a variety of outdoor spaces that promote recreation and socialization. The building’s roof doubles as a garden space and includes gardening and sitting areas, and a trellised pavilion.
