Blumenfeld Development Group & World Renowned Architect Bjarke Ingels Break Ground on Residential Building

Blumenfeld Development Group was joined by world-renowned architect Bjarke Ingels, elected officials, and community leaders, to officially break ground on Gotham 126th Residential in East Harlem.

The eleven-story residential building designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group will be located on 126th Street between Lexington and Third Avenue and will bring 233 new residential rental units to East Harlem. The units will comprise of a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments. The lobby will feature artwork from local artists as a way of supporting the neighborhood’s vibrancy and creative spirit. Building amenities will include a fitness center, game room, lounge, and roof top outdoor area with a pool and individual entertaining areas that provide spectacular views.

Construction of the building is expected to be completed in the spring of 2018.

"This is truly an exciting day as we continue to fulfill our commitment of investing in the revitalization of East Harlem," said David Blumenfeld, Principle, Blumenfeld Development Group. “Our commitment to consistently raise the bar is evidenced by our partnership with Bjarke Ingels and his firm BIG.”

Blumenfeld continued, “We not only wanted to bring something new to East Harlem, but wanted to introduce East Harlem to someone new.”

“It feels great to be building in the middle of the city and in a community that is very much alive and transforming,” said Ingels. “The Blumenfeld’s have been incredibly patient and loyal to the vision we have dreamt up together, which is why we can now break ground on something that is going to be a very significant contribution to this neighborhood.”

Ingels added, “The façade of Gotham 126 drapes gently between the building’s two neighbors and leans inward to allow sunlight and air to reach the street while fulfilling the set-back requirements. Like a good neighbor, it fits into the existing neighborhood, feeding from the community’s energy to add new sparks while continuing to show where East Harlem is heading.”

The Blumenfeld Development Group has a history in East Harlem that began in the early 1990’s with the development of the East River Plaza. The building originally started as a single big-box store and has since grown into a four level, 500,000-square-foot-plus mall with retail stores and a parking structure. In addition, they purchased 54,000 square feet on 125th Street and created Gotham Plaza, finished in 2002, which left open the possibility of developing a residential component that will become Gotham 126th Residential.