335 8th Avenue
335 8th Avenue is a new 190-unit building based on the inclusive, innovative ethos of Penn South’s housing community. The redevelopment will replace the aging existing building along 8th Avenue with a modern, contextual seven-story building of approximately 208,000 square feet. The project will be developed under the Affordable NY Program with thirty percent of its units reserved for low- and middle-income New Yorkers. In addition to the mix of market rate and affordable housing, the project contains a ground-floor grocery store and 24,470 square feet of amenities, including outdoor gardens on three levels. The building will also include 1,200 square feet of community space.
Located at the heart of Penn South, the design seeks to bridge the historical character of Chelsea with contemporary aspirations for a new building that embodies the best ideals of urban living while addressing heightened climate resiliency. 335 Eighth Avenue’s program and architectural expression will activate the street corner and heighten the building’s contribution to urban space, recreating the corner in a more vital mode. Its low-rise massing, clear engagement with the surrounding streetscape, and lush infusions of greenery carefully reframe the historical “tower in the park” model of affordable and social housing.
Taking inspiration from the brick masonry construction of its high-rise neighbors, 335 Eighth Avenue incorporates a diverse expression of hand-set brick courses and bonds to highlight the intimacy and craftsmanship of this historical building material. Large, column-like piers grace the building’s ground floor, where expansive glazing will encourage a generous interaction with the public realm. Along the residential façade frontage, windows are deeply inset into the brick, enhancing the play of light and shadow as conditions change throughout the day. Throughout the building, biophilic design strategies – including planted canopies above entrances, ample daylighting, and abundant greenspaces – are employed to foster a stronger connection between users and the natural world.
Heavily focused on carbon reduction efforts, 335 8th Avenue is a fully-electrified building that will pursue multiple sustainability certifications, including: Passive House; LEED Gold; ES MFNC (ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction); ZERH (Zero Energy Ready Home) and Indoor airPlus. In addition, the project will participate in the NYSERDA “NCH” program for high-performing multi-family buildings. Highly insulated, hand-set brick cladding and triple-glazed windows tightly insulate the building for minimal heat loss. In addition, natural, recycled, and biomimetic materials are coupled with an efficient mechanical system that includes energy recovery systems and the circulation of 100% fresh, filtered outside air.
