Developed by Community Access and Blue Sky Bronx, River II is a 20-story, 288,000 SF mixed-use development located along the elevated MTA tracks within the Special Jerome Corridor District. The building provides 292 units of affordable and supportive housing above 20,200 SF of ground-floor commercial space. Of the total units, 173 are reserved for formerly homeless individuals with mental illness, veterans with disabilities, and formerly homeless families. In response to zoning and recent City of Yes housing reforms, the project maximizes residential density while reinforcing a contextual, pedestrian-friendly streetscape through a strong street wall, active ground-floor frontage, and articulated massing that steps back from the elevated train to enhance acoustic separation and increase access to corner windows and daylight.

River II’s layout takes cues from the structure of a tree: rooted at street level, unified by a central trunk, and branching into residential neighborhoods above. A slight recess at the entry, framed by storefront planters and cascading vines, softens the transition from street to lobby. Inside, natural materials and a living plant wall extend the connection to nature, with warm wood finishes, a wood baffle ceiling, and exposed brick and concrete adding depth and texture.

The second floor forms the building’s communal core—gathering supportive services and resident amenities including a lounge, laundry, computer lab, art studio, fitness room, and a large dining room with teaching kitchen. These spaces are organized around a west-facing terrace with planter beds, a play area, and exercise zone. A separate, east-facing terrace off the social services suite provides additional outdoor space for staff and clients.

Above, every two residential floors (3-19) are linked by a double-height lounge adjacent to the laundry room. These glazed social spaces, offering views of the Bronx and George Washington Bridge, serve as neighborhood hubs that foster connection and anchor smaller communities within the larger whole. At the 20th floor, a 600 SF greenhouse provides horticultural therapy and year-round greenery. In the cellar, bicycle parking, resident storage, and commercial storage support building operations.

River II is designed to Enterprise Green Communities standards and follows the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Prescriptive Path. The building will be fully electric, except for an emergency rooftop generator and the commercial range in the teaching kitchen. Stormwater is managed through a detention tank and green roofing.