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El Jardin de Selene

A Green Mixed Use Building in The Bronx, NY.

  • Nos Quedamos/We Stay, is a non profit that was created by residents of Melrose Commons, a community in the South Bronx, NY, in response to the city’s plan of redeveloping the area. Emphasizing that there was more to save than to destroy, NQ, with the support of Melrose Associates and Magnusson Architecture and Planning PC, worked with community members to create a cohesive, compelling alternative to the city’s vision. Realizing the need to provide not only affordable housing, but sustainable housing in Melrose Commons, Nos Quedamos, Melrose Associates, and Magnusson Architecture and Planning have created a long standing partnership to provide that and were joined in this venture by MJM Construction Services (GC and development partner), and Forsyth Street Advisors (development consultants).



    El Jardin de Selene is a mixed-use, mixed-income building, providing both residents and businesses a healthy environment. Designed to achieve a LEED-Silver rating, Energy Star certified and Enterprise Green Communities compliant, El Jardin is one of the first buildings of its kind in the Bronx.



    With the GC, design architect and all consultants on board from the beginning, the entire process was able to be as healthy and sustainable as possible. Design features such as thru-plank ventilation, the elimination of window sleeves, energy efficient windows, lighting and appliances, recycled content in construction materials, low VOC paints and sealants, bamboo flooring and kitchen cabinetry were complimented by best practices during and after construction by MJM with the objective to increase the overall health of tenants in an area known for disproportionately high asthma rates. This will also be enhanced through the use of green roofs and high-albedo roofing in order to decrease the overall urban heat island affect in the area. Native planting is used at all street, site and green roof planting to bring back natural life to the neighborhood as well.



    At 12 stories, El Jardin de Selene is one of the tallest buildings in the Melrose Commons Urban Renewal Area, and MAP used this to bring back the rich art deco heritage of the South Bronx, while maintaining and furthering the existing fabric of the neighborhood. A modernized art deco aesthetic is highlighted at various parts of the building, from the cast stone elements at the towers, to the mosaic tile elements at the residential entry to the pattern of the bathroom tiling in the residential units.
  • Construction year
  • 2009
  • Size in sq. ft.
  • 99300
  • No. floors
  • 12
  • Certification
  • Energy Star Homes, Enterprise Green Communities, USGBC LEED (Seeking certification or certified)
  • Green Energy Features
  • The PV array is still being designed, but will be designed to a max 12 kWh output, to power the common load in the building.
  • Energy Efficiency Features
  • El Jardin de Selene will feature Energy Star rated appliances in all units, high performance windows, compact florescent lighting, CO2 monitoring and occupancy sensors.
  • Green Products
  • El Jardin de Selene will use low VOC paints, finishes and composite wood products targeting 20% recycled content and 20% regional products, and rapidly renewable material LEED credits.
  • Water Conservation Features
  • El Jardin de Selene will not feature any permanent irrigation systems, but will feature extensive green roofs over 3,325 SF, and a green roof underlayment at the entire 2nd Floor courtyard, measuring an additional 1,580 SF. It will also provide low-flow fixtures at all bathrooms, with lavatory faucets at 0.5 gpm, and dual flush toilets with 1.1/1.6 gpf.
  • Transportation
  • El Jardin de Selene has a bus stop located on the property with a subway station .4 miles away. Bicycle parking for 20 bikes will be provided and a carpool dropoff space will be designated at the entrance.
  • Amount and type of insulation
  • El Jardin de Selene features exterior cavity wall construction, with a total R-value of 16.81.
  • Type of building (home, school, commercial, etc.)
  • Mixed-Use, Residential and Commercial.
  • Designer
  • Magnusson Architecture and Planning PC
  • Builder
  • MJM Construction Services
  • Construction or renovation cost
  • $17,000,000
  • Fuel Type
  • Gas-fired hot water heating; no central cooling.
  • Annual electricity use
  • Projected electricity use is 427,000 kwh.