Media
450+ Apartments Eyed For 9th Square, 7/30/24 - New Haven Independent
Builders are ready to un-pave parking lots — and erect hundreds of new mixed-income apartments downtown.
Two dozen officials announced that news Tuesday afternoon alongside developers during a press conference heralding newly inked agreements to redevelop a car-centric stretch of State and George streets.
The press conference took place in a sun-drenched spot of a publicly owned parking lot on State Street just north of Fair and George streets. It marked the latest step in a decades-long process of turning the Ninth Square into a busy mixed-use neighborhood, in part through a new effort to undo Urban Renewal-era planning mistakes by building on car-centric stretches of asphalt.
The first developable lot includes two acres that spans the State-Fair parking lot, as well as northbound travel lanes and a public greenspace between Fair and Chapel.
The city has signed a MOU with Providence, R.I.-based builder Gilbane and New York-based affordable housing developer Xenolith. Those companies plan on constructing 279 new apartments on that site — including 70 below-market rentals.
New Haven tackles CT housing demand with more housing units, multi-use commercial space for Downtown, 7/30/24 - NBC Affiliate Link
The City of New Haven is taking on two new developments to address the housing demand in Connecticut.
On Tuesday, city officials held a conference along with the project developers to provide details on the 450 new housing units and 3,700 square feet of retail and commercial space coming to George and State Street in Downtown New Haven.
“The State of Connecticut needs around 90,000 new units to be able to support the demand for housing and New Haven is leading the charge as far as the number of building permits issued as far as the number of new units we are creating, have created and will create,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.
The first site is being called Site A and will be developed by Gilbane Development and Xenolith.
Site A will go from Fair Street to Chapel Street and will be built on two acres for a total of 279 housing units, of which 70 will be affordable units.
It will also include over 1,500 square feet of community and retail space, according to the mayor.
Andrea Kretchmer with Xenolith said her team is looking forward to beginning the predevelopment process for Site A.
“At Xenolith, we love a good RFP, particularly one with a demonstrative commitment to community outreach and engagement,” Kretchmer said.
Xenolith Partners Project 'The Rise' Wins NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence Award and Blue Ribbon in Design Excellence, 4/2/21 - Buildings of Excellence Round 2 Winners
Xenolith Partners is thrilled to announce that we were selected as a $1 million winner of the Buildings of Excellence Competition, administered by The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), for the development of a high performance, low-carbon emitting multifamily building. The Rise also received a Blue Ribbon for Design Excellence award from the Architectural League of New York. This competition supports Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s nation-leading climate goals outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), which place New York State on a path to economy-wide carbon neutrality and mandates an 85 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Xenolith’s winning building, The Rise, is a new 72-unit, fully electric, mixed-use building with integrated supportive housing for justice-involved families and affordable housing for income-eligible New Yorkers. Featuring state of the art heat pump water heaters for domestic hot water, Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat pumps for heating and cooling, energy recovery ventilators, solar PV system for on-site energy generation, rooftop gardens, a greenhouse, and green roofs and walls. The Rise will promote sustainable living and help the industry advance towards a low carbon future.
The development will be Passive House International (PHI) certified and designed to Enterprise Green Communities standards, and as part of the Governor’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative, it will offer cost-effective solutions that reduce energy consumption, improve health, and build resilience in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
“Xenolith Partners LLC is proud to receive NYSERDA’s Buildings of Excellence and Blue Ribbon for Design Excellence awards for The Rise, our second Passive House affordable housing project. In furtherance of our commitment to only pursue projects that promote social, economic, and health equity, this sustainably-designed development will provide much-needed affordable and supportive housing for justice-involved families in Brownsville,” said Terri Belkas-Mitchell, Principal of Xenolith Partners.
Xenolith Partners LLC, a certified Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE), is developing The Rise in partnership with Community Solutions/Brownsville Partnership, and Community Preservation Corporation (CPC). Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP) is the project architect with Bright Power providing energy-focused and Passive House consulting for this fully electric, Passive House building. On-site supportive services will be provided by Women’s Prison Association (WPA) and The Osborne Association, and a host of local organizations will provide programming focused on health, wellness, and empowerment within the community facility of the building.
The Buildings of Excellence Competition, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), was launched in March 2019 and has awarded more than $31 million to over forty exemplary new construction projects. It is the only competition of its kind, with the awarded projects becoming part of a comprehensive data collection effort that will help determine how to cost-effectively deliver superior performing carbon-neutral buildings and advance the design and construction of multi-family buildings. The Rise was selected under Round Two for its low carbon performance, profitability, ability to be adopted broadly, and for creating a healthy and safe living environment.
NYSERDA Acting President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “We congratulate Xenolith Partners, LLC for their award-winning low-carbon building design that will not only provide superior comfort and energy savings through Passive House Certification, but will enrich the Brooklyn community by providing housing opportunities for the low-to moderate- income New Yorkers. Ensuring that no New Yorker, no matter their circumstance, is left behind in our transition to a clean energy economy is a central tenant of New York’s clean energy goals and we are proud to support The Rise and look forward to witnessing its construction and positive impact for years to come.”
The Buildings of Excellence competition is administered by NYSERDA with the support of an advisory council comprised of a cross-section of experts from the design, real estate and sustainability sectors with partners including American Institute of Architects New York State, ASHRAE and The Real Estate Board of New York.
For a complete list of the 42 winning projects statewide, please visit NYSERDA’s Buildings of Excellence website at nyserda.ny.gov/boe.
A Coordinated Approach, Winter 2020 - Vital Brooklyn
Xenolith Partners is pleased to see The Rise (p. 31) featured in the Affordable Housing News Winter 2020 focus on HCR's Vital Brooklyn Initiative.
"In a few short years, low-income and justice-involved individuals and families will have yet another quality building to call home thanks to the efforts of Xenolith Partners, its team members, and the New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYS HCR). The new community, called The Rise, will occupy Site J, the 10th of 12 properties slated for development within Governor Andrew Cuomo's $1.4 billion Vital Brooklyn Initiative."
Crain's New York Business, 7/28/20 - Crain’s 2020 list of Rising Stars in Real Estate
Xenolith Partners is incredibly proud of our Terri Belkas-Mitchell, a 2020 Crain's New York Business Rising Star in Real Estate!
"Terri Belkas-Mitchell runs a conscience-driven real estate shop. Xenolith Partners, woman-owned and -operated, is a developer of affordable housing—but not just any affordable housing. Xenolith partners with nonprofits to expand revitalization initiatives, low-cost housing options and social services for domestic violence survivors, seniors and the homeless. Belkas-Mitchell, who has a background in finance and urban policy, has helped secure more than $120 million in construction financing for more than 400 mixed-income rental units in projects that feature historic adaptive reuse, brownfield remediation and new construction. Her firm is committed to sustainability, co-developing one of the first mixed-use, mixed-income buildings to meet “passive house” standards in Connecticut."
Times Union, 7/28/20 - Schenectady IDA approves $98M for 3 projects
"The city's industrial development agency has approved $100 million in new investment for three projects to be completed over the next two years.
The $98 million will benefit retail and residential development, as well as the city's YWCA."
"Another $18 million will be invested in the construction of a 40,000 square-foot building behind the YWCA on Washington Street, followed by a renovation of the existing YWCA building. A New York City woman-owned real estate firm, Xenolith Partners, LLC, is in charge of that project."
Real Estate Weekly, 1/30/20 - East New York supportive housing to feature ʻtrauma-informedʼ design
"New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Supportive housing developments such as this offer individuals exiting the criminal justice system the stability they need to pursue a better future.
“The Rise will bring 68 quality affordable homes to Brownsville along with valuable community services that set individuals on a path toward independence, health and success.”
NYS HCR Press Release, 1/7/20 - Governor Cuomo Announces Plans for New Supportive Housing Development in Brownsville as Part of $1.4 Billion Vital Brooklyn Initiative
"Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced plans for The Rise, the latest winning proposal under the Vital Brooklyn Initiative that will construct 68 affordable and supportive housing apartments on East New York Avenue in Brownsville. The Rise will offer an array of health, wellness, employment and legal services. The development is part of the Governor's $578 million commitment to create 4,000 units of affordable housing through the $1.4 billion initiative."
Hartford Courant, 7/24/19 - New six-story apartment building nears completion in New Britain
"New Britain’s biggest residential project in years is on track to open in late winter, and developers are looking to start the second phase as early as 2021."
e-architect, 3/19/19 - Casa Celina, Affordable Senior Housing in the Bronx
"Magnusson Architecture + Planning (MAP) will bring to fruition its exciting concept for 100% affordable senior housing at NYCHA’s Sotomayor Houses in the Soundview section of the Bronx. MAP worked with Xenolith Partners, The Kretchmer Companies, ELH Mgmt., and the Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA) whose joint proposal was selected through an RFP process. Part of the NYC Housing New York 2.0 “Seniors First” program, Casa Celina is the latest of MAP’s projects located in the Bronx, a borough where the firm has designed over 40 buildings and continues to advance the quality of affordable housing design."
The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), 3/11/19 - HPD and NYCHA Announce Development Teams for 100% Affordable Senior Housing in the Bronx and Brooklyn
"The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced today the selection of Xenolith Partners, The Kretchmer Companies, ELH Mgmt., and the Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA) for a 100 percent senior affordable housing project in the Bronx...."
Community Preservation Corporation, 2/26/18 -"Community Preservation Corporation Announces Partnership with Xenolith Partners LLC to Invest in Affordable Housing in New York City"
"The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) announced today it is committing up to $3 million to Xenolith Partners LLC (Xenolith), a certified minority- and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) company focused on developing affordable housing..."
Hartford Courant, 10/17/17 -"Malloy: Columbus Commons Shows CTfastrak's Success"
"When it’s built, the $58 million Columbus Commons project will be a success story for brownfields remediation, urban revitalization and CTfastrak, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said at a groundbreaking Tuesday..."
HartfordBusiness.com, 10/17/17 - "New Britain transit-oriented development breaks ground"
"The city of New Britain and developers are breaking ground Wednesday on a $58 million mixed-use development located downtown near a CTfastrak bus station..."
New York YIMBY, 7/5/17 - "Five-Story, 24-Unit Residential Building Filed at 451 East 159th Street, Melrose"
"Affordable housing developer Xenolith Partners has filed applications for a five-story, 24-unit residential building at 451 East 159th Street, located on the corner of Elton Avenue in the Melrose section of the South Bronx..."
New York YIMBY, 6/30/17 - "Five-Story, 14-Unit Residential Project Planned at 3120 Park Avenue, Melrose"
"Affordable housing developer Xenolith Partners has filed applications for a five-story, 14-unit residential project at 3120 Park Avenue, located between East 158th and East 159th streets in the South Bronx’s Melrose section..."