Rising over the Harlem River beside the historic High Bridge, a new affordable housing tower is already acting like a cash machine for the Bronx. Developers say the mixed-use project at 1387 University Avenue has pumped roughly $23 million into the borough economy while it is still under construction, thanks to hundreds of construction jobs and contracts for neighborhood businesses. The work is part of a $335 million development led by Samaritan Daytop Village, with Mega Contracting Group serving as general contractor.
Developers' analysis: dollars and jobs on site
A recent economic analysis from the development team estimates that Highbridge has funneled more than $23 million into the Bronx through payroll, supplier payments and local purchases, including nearly $5.9 million paid directly to Bronx-based businesses, according to Samaritan Daytop Village. The report says there are roughly 350 to 400 workers on site on a typical day, many of them Bronx residents, with hourly wages ranging from about $20 to $50. Construction activity alone is estimated to be driving roughly $35,000 each week into nearby restaurants, bodegas and retailers.
Design, unit mix and amenities
Designed by Magnusson Architecture & Planning, the fully electric building is planned to deliver 316 permanent apartments, about 60% of them supportive units, plus 106 transitional family shelter units. Plans also call for more than 30,000 square feet of community and outdoor space. Renderings from the architect show landscaped terraces with greenery, an urban farm, seating and cookout areas, free wi-fi and a walking trail that would link the site to the High Bridge.
Jobs, contracts and local hiring
Once the building is complete, the Highbridge development is expected to support roughly 100 permanent jobs in social services, security and property management, with hiring priority pledged for Bronx residents. The development team reports that 40% of subcontracts so far have gone to minority- and women-owned firms and that a majority of current trade workers live in the borough, according to Samaritan Daytop Village. In the same report, Mega Contracting Group's Hercules Argyriou said that creating stable, affordable homes not only addresses a critical need but also strengthens communities by creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
Community reaction and official filings
Local coverage and developer updates indicate the project is moving at a brisk pace: the structure topped off in November 2025, and the building is on track to open in 2027, as recently reported by the Bronx Times. Project leaders say construction crews preserved the site's historic stone portico from a former convent and have been engaging Community Board 4 throughout planning and construction. Official state environmental filings describe the proposal at 1387 University Avenue as an approximately 400,000-square-foot mixed-use project with a 26-story massing, highlighting some differences between renderings, filings and on-site descriptions; the state's SEQR notice through NYSDEC lays out those details.
Sustainability and recognition
The project has already been singled out for its low-carbon design. Highbridge received a $1 million award from New York State's NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence program and is targeting Passive House certification. Program materials note the building's electric heat-pump systems, stormwater management features and on-site urban farm as strategies intended to cut emissions and help keep long-term operating costs down for residents.
What it means for the neighborhood
Developers and designers say Highbridge is meant to function as both a housing project and an economic engine for the South Bronx, aiming to show that supportive and affordable housing can deliver jobs, local contracting opportunities and climate-conscious design at the same time. Construction is expected to continue through next year, and the site is likely to remain a watchpoint for planners, community leaders and residents as the borough looks to add more deeply affordable homes.
