Bronx urban renewal zone gets its Palace of the Sun.Palacio del Sol Sol, in Roman religion Sol (sŏl), in Roman religion, sun god. An ancient god of Mesopotamian origin, he was introduced (c.220) into Roman religion as Sol Invictus by emperor Heliogabalus. , a 124-unit mixed-use, affordable housing apartment building in the Melrose Commons section of The Bronx, has opened as the largest and newest project in that urban renewal area. Magnusson Architecture and Planning designed the property, located on Melrose Avenue Melrose Avenue is a well-known Los Angeles street that starts from Santa Monica Boulevard at the border between Beverly Hills and West Hollywood and ends at Hoover Street in Silver Lake. Melrose runs north of Beverly Boulevard and south of Santa Monica Boulevard. between 156th and 157th streets, for developers Nos Quedamos/We Stay and L&M Equity Participants, Ltd. Rents in this affordable housing development will accommodate tenants who earn up to 60% of the Area Median Income. Palacio del Sol, or "Palace of the Sun," is a departure in affordable housing design. Its architecture transcends the visual expectations that have limited traditional design for such properties. Positioned at the southernmost edge of the urban renewal area, Palacio functions as a "gateway" to the Melrose Commons community, a fact that MAP Architects took to heart in developing a design scheme for the building. "We chose the three colors of brick for the facade to harmonize with the existing palate palate (păl`ĭt), roof of the mouth. The front part, known as the hard palate, formed by the upper maxillary bones and the palatine bones, separates the mouth from the nasal cavity. of the diverse neighborhood," expalined Magnusson. "This variety helps to break up the massing, which keeps the building--one of the largest in the area--from becoming overwhelming." In addition to its residential component, the building contains 13,035 s/f of commercial space, which will be used for a supermarket--a unique feature in a neighborhood populated pop·u·late tr.v. pop·u·lat·ed, pop·u·lat·ing, pop·u·lates 1. To supply with inhabitants, as by colonization; people. 2. with smaller markets and bodegas. The property will also house a 2,650 s/f headquarters for Nos Quedamos, the community organization whose efforts helped establish Melrose Commons as an urban renewal area in the early 90s. Palacio del Sol's dramatic corner entry is its most notable architectural feature. MAP Architects developed it in close collaboration with the late Yolanda Garcia, founder of Nos Quedamos. The recessed re·cess n. 1. a. A temporary cessation of the customary activities of an engagement, occupation, or pursuit. b. The period of such cessation. See Synonyms at pause. 2. entry to the building creates a small piazza piazza Open square or marketplace, surrounded by buildings, in an Italian town or city. It was equivalent to the plaza of Spanish-speaking countries. The term became more widely used in the 16th–18th century, denoting any large open space with buildings around it. on the corner, which encourages residents and visitors to participate more fully in the community's street life. Palacio's ground floor includes a distinctive lobby, a spacious community room and a security office. The laundry room A laundry room (also called a utility room) is a room where clothes are washed. In a modern home, a laundry room would be equipped with an automatic washing machine and clothes dryer,and often a large basin, called a laundry tub, for hand-washing delicate articles of clothing such has direct access to a private outdoor space, as well as a view of the children's play area. Onsite parking is provided for 47 cars. The property also has tree-lined sidewalks and lawn space, which provide both privacy and a buffer from street and traffic noise. |
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