Gilbane Development, The Hudson Companies and MHANY today celebrated the ribbon cutting of Phase Two of The Peninsula, marking another major milestone in the transformation of the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Center into a vibrant, mixed-use community in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx.
The $297 million second phase includes Buildings 2A and 2B, located at 1221 and 1225 Spofford Avenue, and delivers 359 affordable apartments, including 305 affordable units and 54 units set-aside for the homeless. The new residences range from studios to four-bedroom apartments, providing much-needed housing opportunities for New Yorkers across a range of income levels. 73 percent of the apartments are affordable to households earning at or below 60% of area median income (AMI), with 15 percent reserved for formerly homeless households.
Designed by WXY architecture + urban design and Body Lawson Associates, Phase Two is part of a larger, three-phase redevelopment will ultimately bring over 740 affordable homes to Hunts Point, alongside community facilities, cultural spaces, local businesses, and publicly accessible open spaces. Building on the success of Phase One, completed in 2022, this latest milestone advances the development’s long-term vision of creating a connected, thriving neighborhood.
“Today marks an exciting new chapter for The Peninsula and the Hunts Point community,” said Yarojin (Roj) Robinson, Senior Vice President, Affordable & Mixed-Income Housing, Gilbane Development. “What was once a site that divided this neighborhood is now a place bringing people together and creating new opportunities. With the completion of Phase Two, we’re delivering 359 high-quality, affordable homes where New Yorkers can put down roots and build their futures. This milestone reflects years of dedication, collaboration and a shared commitment to creating a community that residents are proud to call home. We’re incredibly grateful to our partners and the Hunts Point community for helping bring this vision to life.”
“The Peninsula highlights the power of thoughtful redevelopment, transforming a once-controversial site into one that realizes the needs of and offers resources to the local community,” said David Kramer, President of the Hudson Companies. “We’re proud to contribute to the broader revitalization of Hunts Point by providing hundreds of new affordable homes, opportunities for upward mobility, and community spaces to promote residents’ overall well-being. This milestone wouldn’t be possible without the support from Gilbane, MHANY, and our public partners, as well as the advocacy from the Hunts Point community.”
Designed to support residents and strengthen the surrounding neighborhood, Buildings 2A and 2B feature fitness rooms, in-building laundry facilities, resident lounges with access to outdoor terraces, common areas with Wi-Fi, and bicycle storage. Phase Two also includes an early childhood center, a 45,000-gross-square-foot landscaped public pedestrian plaza and 21,777 gross square feet of community facility space. These additions create more opportunities for residents and neighbors to gather, connect and access resources close to home.
The buildings also incorporate sustainable design features, including rainwater harvesting systems and rooftop solar panels, supporting the development’s commitment to long-term environmental stewardship.
Developed in partnership with MHANY Management Inc. and supported by public and community partners, The Peninsula reflects a shared commitment to expanding affordable housing and creating lasting opportunities for Bronx residents.
The ribbon cutting brought together city leadership, development partners and community organizations whose collaboration has helped advance The Peninsula from planning through construction.
“At The Peninsula, we are transforming a place once associated with trauma into a place defined by opportunity. We are building hundreds of affordable homes, bringing one of the City’s first municipal grocery stores to the neighborhood and creating a community that New Yorkers can afford. Today’s ribbon cutting marks another step toward delivering on that promise,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.
“A thriving mixed-use community like The Peninsula will help New Yorkers stay and succeed in our city with a stable, affordable home. The hundreds of new homes, child care, community space, and other amenities coming to Hunts Points will be transformative for the new tenants,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. “Congratulations to Gilbane, Hudson, MHANY, and every development and agency partner on reaching this milestone!”
“A testament to the vital role that collaboration plays in our work to address the housing needs of all New Yorkers, the Peninsula is much more than a place to call home. It is a symbol of renewal, transformation, and a vibrant reflection of the Hunts Point community,” said HPD First Deputy Commissioner Adam Phillips. “With 359 new affordable apartments, the Peninsula is a welcome extension of the neighborhood, bringing with it an early childhood center, a new green space, and much more. I woud like to extend our thanks to our development partners at NYC EDC, MHANY Management, Gilbane Development Company, and Hudson Companies, whose unwavering dedication helped make this project a reality.”
Beyond housing, The Peninsula is designed to support the everyday needs of the Hunts Point community. Its broader master plan includes community facilities, health and wellness services, cultural spaces, local businesses and publicly accessible open space.
“Cutting the ribbon today on Peninsula’s Phase Two is another major step in the City’s commitment to finding innovative solutions to the ongoing housing crisis and ensuring that the Hunts Point community benefits from this critical work,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Anthony Shorris. “By transforming the former Spofford Detention Center to a vibrant, mixed-use community with over 350 affordable housing units, the Peninsula is breathing new life into this site and delivering revitalization that the Hunts Point neighborhood has long deserved.”
“For more than 50 years, the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Center stood as a symbol of disinvestment in Hunts Point, and with its closure, we are transforming that site into a place of opportunity, stability, and hope for our South Bronx community,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “The transformation taking place here is especially meaningful because it reflects what can happen when government, developers, elected officials, and community organizations work together and listen to what residents want and need. A site that was once associated with incarceration and isolation is becoming a place centered on housing, health, culture, economic opportunity, and community.”
“For too long, Hunts Point has been a community that gives so much to our city without always seeing that investment come back home. The continued transformation of the former Spofford Detention Center into The Peninsula is helping to change that. With 359 new affordable homes, spaces for our children and families, and more opportunities for our neighbors, Phase Two is another important step toward building the community our residents deserve. I am grateful to the community partners, city and state leaders, and everyone who worked to make this vision a reality. As we continue to implement this community-based vision, we must make sure the people who have called Hunts Point home for generations are the ones who benefit from its future,” said Assembly Member Amanda N. Septimo.
“I am thrilled to celebrate the ribbon cutting for Phase 2 of The Peninsula in Hunts Point. As Senator representing the 29th Senate District, I am proud to see the transformation of the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Facility into a vibrant, mixed-use campus that reflects the vision and priorities of the community. This milestone is a testament to what can be accomplished when residents have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of their neighborhood. Many thanks to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, my colleagues in government, and, most importantly, the community members whose advocacy and vision helped bring this transformative project to life,” said New York State Senator José M. Serrano.
“Growing up in the South Bronx, Spofford Juvenile Detention Center was not just something you heard about but truly felt as we witnessed firsthand the consequences of the injustices that took place. To see that same place, which once brought separation, strain, and trauma, now bring families together and create opportunities for generations brings hope to me and my neighbors in the Hunts Point community. Where doors once slammed shut behind young people, we’re now opening doors to new homes and bright futures. I am eager to welcome our new neighbors home and continue the work to activate this community and help Hunts Point reach its full potential,” said Council Member Justin E. Sanchez.
The completion of Phase Two builds on the progress of the development’s first phase, which opened in 2022 and delivered 183 affordable apartments, a 14,000-square-foot cultural arts center and a 57,000-square-foot light-industrial building. The first phase has helped create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, small businesses and cultural organizations, supporting economic activity and community connections within Hunts Point.
When all three phases are complete, The Peninsula will include four mixed-use residential buildings and a light-industrial manufacturing building, delivering 740 affordable homes alongside retail, community facilities, and publicly accessible open space. The Peninsula will also welcome the first NYC Groceries location in 2027, bringing fresh, affordable food to New Yorkers while furthering the development’s broader goal of creating a more affordable, vibrant, and connected Hunts Point neighborhood.
From the beginning, The Peninsula has been shaped by the priorities and aspirations of the Hunts Point community. The opening of Phase Two marks another step toward realizing that vision, expanding access to quality affordable housing while creating spaces that support residents, strengthen neighborhood connections and contribute to the Bronx’s future. Visit thepeninsulabx.com for more information.
About Gilbane
Gilbane is the trusted leader in end-to-end solutions for the built environment, with integrated expertise across real estate investment, development, full-service construction, and property and facilities management.
Family-owned since 1870, Gilbane is one of the oldest and largest privately held real estate development and construction companies in the world. With more than 45 offices, and 4,000+ employees worldwide, Gilbane pairs global experience with deep community connections to empower clients to move from vision to long-term performance with confidence. Guided by values that put people first and prioritize innovation, Gilbane builds trust, strengthens communities, and is driven by a purpose to boldly shape the world. Learn more at gilbaneco.com.
About Hudson Companies
The Hudson Companies is a leading real estate developer in New York City and the Tri-State area. At Hudson, we develop housing for everyone. From townhouses to high rises, and from transitional housing to mixed-income rentals to luxury condominiums, we have touched all housing typologies. Our collaborative team is guided by entrepreneurial vigor, civic spirit, and deep expertise. We are fully integrated, having close affiliates that handle property management and leasing (Lisa Management) and general contracting construction services (Broadway Builders, a WBE firm). Our team is diverse, and our motivations arise from varied personal and professional experiences, but our crucial commonality is a desire to thoughtfully add to the city’s great blocks and boroughs. Hudson has completed nearly 10,000 residential units, and has thousands more in its development pipeline.
