A $42-million green affordable housing complex and service space in West Harlem is currently underway, made possible by The Fortune Society, a respected and effective alternative to incarceration and reentry.

This 114-unit, 110,000 square-foot project was designed to bring affordable housing to the Harlem community, provide supportive permanent housing and service space for formerly incarcerated homeless men and women, and generate ongoing revenue to support the crucial services the Fortune Society provides its clients. The new complex is adjacent to The Fortune Academy, familiarly called “The Castle,” which provides transitional housing for homeless men and women just released from prison.

This development will expand on the programs and housing opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals already offered at the adjoining Castle, as well as provide affordable units for low-income families. Additionally, 20,000 square feet of program space will allow Fortune to offer enhanced services, including job training, counseling and education. The project will be ready for residents in mid-2010, and public spaces will also be available for community use.

The Fortune Society and Jonathan Rose Companies have worked hand-in-hand with Curtis + Ginsberg Architects LLP and Lettire Construction to create a space that complements the historic character of the existing Fortune Academy. The project is seeking LEED-NC Gold certification as well as participating in programs from Enterprise Green Communities and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

A roof garden will feature an extensive green roof and a rainwater harvesting system, while also allowing residents to take advantage of views of the Hudson River. Among the other green features of the project, aluminum solar shades will be used on the south façade of the building, blocking the intense summer sun and keeping apartments cool while allowing winter daylight in during the colder months.

Green, healthy materials will be used throughout the project, including paints, sealants and cabinetry that are free of toxic ingredients. Where possible, wood products will be sourced from forests that are managed responsibly. Mechanical systems were designed with input from an energy model and include a high-efficiency boiler located on the rooftop, which enhances performance. Energy-efficient appliances and lighting, along with low-flow plumbing fixtures, will conserve energy, water and money.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, JoAnne Page, President and CEO of Fortune Society, and Jonathan F.P. Rose, President of Jonathan Rose Companies, were joined by federal, state and local officials in February 2009 to celebrate the official groundbreaking of Fortune’s new complex.


Information courtesy of Jonathan Rose Companies LLC (www.rosecompanies.com) and The Fortune Society (www.fortunesociety.org).

Sponsored by Temple-Inland