Garden Towers Brings Sustainable, Affordable Senior Living to the Bronx

Garden Towers is addressing the growing need for accessible and affordable seniors housing in New York City. Foxy Management, a Bronx-based developer, teamed with JLD Advisory and nonprofit partner and service provider HANAC to create the 150-unit development for low-income seniors 62 and older. In addition, 45 units are set aside for formerly homeless seniors.

“The number of older adults in older apartment buildings who don’t have elevators and accessibility is so substantial,” adds Jeff Fox, principal at Foxy Management. “Providing not just affordable housing, but truly subsidized purpose-built housing for seniors with services is taking them from a dire situation to being in a place where they can live in dignity.” 

All of the units are set aside for seniors earning at or below 50% of the area median income and benefit from Section 8 rental subsidies. The development also has a strong focus on sustainability and quality of life for the seniors. 

The two residential towers, which are energy efficient and designed to meet passive house standards, are connected by a greenhouse that contains herbs available for resident use. Garden Towers also features green walls, a rooftop solar array, low-flow plumbing, and Energy Star appliances.

In addition, the development team prioritized resident safety by installing nonslip floors, handrails in the halls, and good lighting.

“The Bronx has been in dire need of affordable seniors housing,” says Stacy Bliagos, executive director of HANAC. “And this is a place where older adults can age with dignity in the community they have helped build. Having passive house features, social services on-site, and the greenhouse between the two structures really allow these individuals to thrive when in the past they have struggled.”The $93 million development, which received financial support from the city and state, started welcoming residents in January 2024.