Construction Milestone Reached for Phase Two of The Peninsula Development in Hunts Point
Hunts Point, Bronx – The construction of Phase Two of The Peninsula, a comprehensive redevelopment initiative on the site of the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Center, has reached a significant milestone with the official topping out of the project. This second phase, which commenced in November 2023, aims to deliver 359 affordable housing units as part of a larger plan to create a total of 740 units across five buildings.
Financing for Phase Two totaled approximately 7 million and was secured through a collaboration between the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, and Wells Fargo. The Mayor’s Office has emphasized the need for affordable housing in the borough, a challenge that past projects have struggled to address.
The first phase of The Peninsula, completed in 2022, established a foundation for community enhancement with 183 affordable apartments and a multifaceted cultural arts center, which includes artist studios and a 57,000-square-foot light industrial building. The upcoming completion of Phase Two is anticipated to further contribute to the Bronx’s cultural and economic landscape.
Yarojin (Roj) Robinson, Senior Vice President of Affordable and Mixed-Income Housing at Gilbane Development Company, noted the importance of this milestone, stating, “This project exemplifies how redevelopment can reshape a community’s future. These homes will provide families with a stable foundation and access to essential amenities, fostering a trajectory toward brighter futures.”
Notably, the commitment to serve vulnerable populations is evident, with plans for at least 10% of the total 740 units designated for formerly homeless individuals. In Phase Two, 15% of units will specifically support these residents, while the remaining units will be affordable for households earning no more than 60% of the area median income.
The apartments will vary in size from studios to three-bedroom units and will include modern amenities such as resident-controlled heating, energy-efficient lighting, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the New York City skyline. Future residents can also enjoy numerous communal features, including a fitness center, children’s playroom, landscaped open spaces, and convenient access to transportation.
Community leaders, including Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr., underscored the transformative potential of the Peninsula project. “The topping out of Phase Two signifies not just structural progress, but a commitment to equity and community enhancement,” said Gibson. Salamanca echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for effective solutions to address the ongoing housing crisis.
The Peninsula project is not solely focused on residential development; it will also include substantial community space, with 15,000 square feet allocated for retail, 53,500 square feet designated for community facilities—including a Head Start program, a grocery store, and a health and wellness center—and an expansive public plaza of 57,000 square feet.
Exterior work on Buildings 2A and 2B has commenced, designed with red brick facades and large windows. Completion of these buildings is projected for July 2026, with the first apartments expected to be available earlier that same year. As the development progresses, further phases will continue until 2028, when the last units are anticipated to be completed.
Through its comprehensive approach to affordable housing, mixed-use development, and community integration, The Peninsula aims to stand as a beacon of hope and opportunity in a borough that has historically been overlooked in terms of economic revitalization. The collaborative efforts of Gilbane Development, along with other partners, demonstrate a commitment to addressing the pressing need for affordable housing in New York City.
