Zoning regs help developer build 12 unit residential condominium

Real Estate Weekly, Dec 31, 2003

To build The Danielle, a residential condominium building in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, the developer and the architect took advantage of a zoning resolution which enabled 3724 Blackstone, LLC to build an eight-story, 12-unit building on a 49-by-100-foot lot.

In the end, the zoning provision enabled Hal Dorfman the developer of 3724 Blackstone, LLC, to build 15% more gross footage. "'Quality Housing' is one provision in the New York City Zoning Resolution that allows larger buildings on the lot if certain amenities are provided, such as a laundry room, a tenants storage room, a community room and more natural light," said David Mandl, of Meltzer/ Mandl Architects, PC.

To comply, the developer was more than happy to build a laundry facility and a storage room. The Danielle also has a parking garage.

The Danielle, located at 3800 Blackstone Avenue, features another amenity that owes its origins not to the "Quality Housing" provision, but to the largely Orthodox Jewish population of this area in Riverdale: a "Sabbath Elevator."

"This elevator, a great feature for Jewish residents, is programmed to stop on every floor on the Sabbath and other major Jewish holidays because religious law forbids certain activities, such as work, driving, writing and turning on or off lights, televisions, radios, computers, or any other electrical devices." said Mandl.