The New Hammel Building Delivers First Voluntarily Integration of Affordable Workforce Housing Units

NEW ROCHELLE, NY - A brand new luxury rental community delivers three firsts in the city of New Rochelle's history. The Hammel Building is the first private project to voluntarily integrate some affordable workforce housing apartments into the market rate development; it is the first where the city had dictated furnishings and amenities inside each residence; and is the first completed private residential investment in the city's transit-oriented comprehensive growth plan.

It is the first time that the city required a developer to include luxurious features in each apartment like 9ft ceilings, oak floors, oversized kitchens, stainless appliances, granite counters, and in-unit washer/dryers. It is intended to attract tenants who have the capacity to support downtown business. "If you require features that are high in quality, then you can, in that fashion, ensure that the housing is well-designed and well-marketed," said Mayor Noam Bramson.

While comprised predominantly of market-rate apartments, The Hammel Building will also mark the first time in New Rochelle and in Westchester County, that affordable workforce housing has been offered on an inclusive basis – that is: integrated into the larger development. "We are fortunate to be in a position to grant a few hard working families an opportunity to reside in these luxurious apartments that might not otherwise be able to do so. It is way to honor the memory of our father, whom the building is named after," said developer Anthony Hammel.

In recent years, New Rochelle has been active in the planning, development and revitalization of a quarter-mile radius around New Rochelle Station. The transit-oriented development (TOD) offers residents, businesses and employees expanded transportation options, lower commuting costs, and access to a wider market for goods, skills, and job opportunities. The relaxed restrictions and the expanded transportation options make the area ripe for private investment. The Hammel Building is the first completed private residential investment in the comprehensive plan.