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A new proposal from prolific developer Maddd Equities could give the South Bronx its biggest residential jolt in years. If approved, a rezoning application filed with the Department of City Planning would pave the way for two mixed-use towers at 1014 Brook Avenue in Morrisania—housing a proposed whopping 1,128 affordable apartments.
The project, spanning a jaw-dropping 1.2 million square feet, would rise 22 and 26 stories and sit across 19 tax lots currently home to low-rise warehouses (two of them vacant). Maddd Equities controls just over half of the site for now and it’s still unclear if it plans to scoop up the rest.
Designed by Aufgang Architects, the complex goes well beyond just apartments. Plans call for 167,000 square feet of retail and community space, including a sports complex open to the public and local schools, located at the base of both buildings. There’s also 1,000 square feet of light manufacturing space—think small-scale makers, a distillery or a woodworking shop.
But perhaps the smartest feature is what happens between the buildings: a landscaped pedestrian corridor that connects East 165th and East 164th Streets, plus an additional open space at the corner of Brook and 165th. Expect greenery, playgrounds, benches and a more welcoming streetscape in a section of the Bronx that’s been sorely lacking investment.
While the site is currently zoned for manufacturing only, Maddd Equities is seeking a zoning change that would allow for both residential and commercial uses. The application kicks off a long public review process that includes a full Environmental Impact Statement.
If all goes according to plan, construction could kick off in 2027 and wrap by 2032.
Maddd Equities, led by CEO Jorge Madruga, has become a major player in the borough’s redevelopment. The firm is behind several key projects, including the massive overhaul of the historic Kingsbridge Armory into a community hub called El Centro, which was recently approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission and will include 450 affordable units.
One thing’s for sure: The South Bronx is having a moment—and this project could be one of its most transformative yet.