In 2006, New Housing New York, the first juried design competition for affordable housing in New York City, was held. Via Verde was the winning entry into the international competition. The project was completed in 2012 and reflects a public commitment to create the next generation of social housing, providing a setting for healthy, sustainable living. The brief called for the potential to replicate the design, sustainable practices, and ‘healthy living’ principles in the hope that the scheme could become a prototype for future developments in the city. As a mixed-use, mixed-income residential development, a local pharmacy, community health clinic, and live work units are located at street level. In total, there are 222 residential units, with 71 for sale units for middle-income households and a balance of low- and moderate-income rentals. The building consists of a 20-story tower, a mid-rise building with duplex apartments and town-houses.
