1490 Southern Boulevard provides dignified, affordable homes to sustain the elderly population of New York City and the south Bronx specifically. The building—assertively and sustainably modern—is a comfortable and attractive residence for seniors. It embraces active, green design and supplies generous outdoor spaces that provide sustenance, relaxation, and a sense of community. The residential component is completely dedicated to affordable units for seniors, containing 114 studio and one-bedroom apartments. 32 of the units have been reserved for individuals who were previously precariously housed. At the ground floor, a generous community facility space occupied by the Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA), who will also manage the residential building, will provide critical assistance for New York City’s older adults. These include legal, health, and mental health services as well as social and community programming. The building massing, simple and forthright, responds to both local context and cardinal orientation. The main setback is given back to the residents as a communal outdoor space for gathering. At street level, materials are colorful and bright. Yellow-painted metal cladding gives way to large glass openings which offer views into the first floor community facility, residential lobby, and amenity space. Above street-level, the building is clad in a dark enameled brick whose reflective character provides an ever-changing play of light. The windows are generously sized in a vertical format, with double-glazing to attenuate noise while maximizing daylight in the residential units. Slightly recessed accent panels of glazed yellow brick with a stacked bond pattern complement the windows and strike a contrast with the dark brick to complete the facade.