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The Melody

A Green Multifamily residential in New York, NY.
  • 853 Macy Place
  • Bronx
  • New York
  • NY
  • 10455
  • Map

  • The building is comprised of 63 affordable one, two and three bedroom cooperative apartments with a fully equipped fitness center and outdoor fitness path. The building is the first residential building in New York to comply with the NYC Active Design Guidelines, promoting physical activity and health through building design.

    This project was awarded through a NYC HPD Cornerstone RFP and developed under the NYC Housing Development Corporation's Affordable Coop Program with financial assistance from the NYS Affordable Housing Corporation, SONYMA, the Bronx Borough President and NYSERDA. The building is Energy Star labeled under NYSERDA's Multifamily Performance Program and certified LEED Platinum under the USGBC's LEED for Homes program.
  • Located on the corner of Prospect Avenue and Macy Place in the Bronx, one block from the Prospect Avenue station for the #2 and #5 subway train lines.
  • Construction year
  • 2011
  • Size in sq. ft.
  • 83711
  • No. floors
  • 8
  • Certification
  • Energy Star Homes, USGBC LEED, LEED-H Platinum
  • Energy Efficiency Features
  • Natural gas sealed combustion condensing boilers (90-98% efficiency) to provide hydronic heat with digital programmable thermostats in each room

    Tekmar boiler reset controls with internal and external sensors to modulate boiler water temperature

    Two 5kw micro CHP co-generation units provide 100% of building's domestic hot water supply

    All mechanical system motors are NEMA premium efficiency and/or variable frequency drive

    VFD water pressure booster system

    Use of hydraulic separator in heating system design eliminates two large pumps found in standard primary/secondary loop systems

    All Energy Star fluorescent and LED lighting fixtures

    All Energy Star appliances

    Bi-level occupancy sensor lighting in stairwells and cellar corridors

    Occupancy sensor switching in storage, trash, and all utility and mechanical rooms

    Daylight sensor switching for lobby lighting

    Low U-value (.31) fiberglass Energy Star windows

    Open enclosed parking design eliminates need for mechanical ventilation

    Direct drive KONE Eco-Space elevator
  • Green Products
  • Formaldehyde free kitchen and bath cabinetry

    FSC certified engineered floating click lock (no adhesive) wood flooring with Hevea core (reclaimed rubber trees) and recycled felt underlayment

    99% recycled content drywall

    Low or zero VOC paints, flooring adhesives, caulking and sealants

    Low VOC wall covering in public corridors with 50% recycled content

    Low VOC CRI rated recycled/recyclable carpet tiles in public corridors

    Formaldehyde free ceiling tiles with 88% recycled content

    Formaldehyde free fiberglass batt and rigid insulation

    100% recycled light gauge steel framing materials

    Continuous compartmentalized direct vent background Energy Star ventilation system with trickle vents at each window opening

    MERV 8 filtering at corridor make up air and individual room PTAC units

    Recycled concrete and masonry aggregate for drainage and under slab base at cellar and all sitework

    Recycled pored rubber floors in fitness center and at outside fitness areas

    Ceramic top electric ranges instead of gas to eliminate all CO production inside units

    Recycling of 96% of generated construction waste
  • Water Conservation Features
  • Dual flush toilets (0.8/1.6gpf)

    0.995 gpm showerheads

    0.75 gpm kitchen faucet aerators

    0.5 gpm lavatory aerators

    Use of drought tolerant and native plants in landscaping with high efficiency drip irrigation system
  • Transportation
  • Train - The Prospect Avenue station of the 2 and 5 subway lines which provide access to Manhattan’s East and West sides is one block away. The Longwood Avenue station for the 6 line is within six blocks of the building.

    Interior bicycle storage room
  • Window brand
  • Pella
  • Amount and type of insulation
  • 2.25"" rigid foam insulation thermal break inside masonry cavity and at EIFS of exterior walls (R-12)

    3"" fiberglass batt insulation (R-15) at exterior wall framing (inside of thermal break)

    5.5"" polyisocyanurate insulation at roof (R-32.5 on top of roof deck, under membrane)

    2"" rigid foam insulation full height at exterior of cellar walls and non excavated foundation walls (R-10)

    2"" rigid fiberglass insulation (R-8.4) at underside of first floor slabs over unheated cellar spaces

    2"" rigid fiberglass insulation (R-8.4) and fiberglass batt (R-38) at underside of parking area ceiling

    All exterior masonry walls air sealed with Thorocoat cementicious product
  • Type of building (home, school, commercial, etc.)
  • Multifamily residential
  • Designer
  • Blue Sea Development Company
  • Builder
  • Blue Sea Construction Co.
  • Construction or renovation cost
  • 18200000
  • Fuel Type
  • Natural Gas for heat and cogeneration/electric cooling/cogen for DHW