Landy Court, a new eighty-unit apartment building at the edge of Downtown Yonkers, is hard to miss – but has it always been there? Like the buildings that proceeded it, the ground floor of Landy Court retains a full story of the hillside behind it – it is literally built into the hill. Taking this condition as a starting point, the new building meets the street with a strong, solid base, transitioning with a light middle band, with blocks of apartments above. Interstitial metal panels lighten the heavy volumes of red brick, creating balance and rhythm across this big new neighbor.

How often does a building create its own streetscape? Walking alongside Landy Court, the building is a solid wall of banded brick, concealing parking and mechanical spaces. The main entry pierces this wall with two stories of glass and a corrugated metal awning, reminiscent of old market buildings, marking the arrival point. The design team chose VRF heat pumps for heating and cooling, eliminating thru-wall AC openings. This allowed for tall windows that enhance light and ventilation while giving the building an industrial feel, in keeping with the block’s history. The brickwork features traditional details like soldier courses, projecting bands, and row-lock sills, adding rich texture to a high-performing envelope.

Supportive housing requires significant common areas and social service spaces. These spaces and circulation among them were treated to feel like a turn-of-the century industrial headquarters – stark white walls with black hardware and accents are complimented with light wood tones and rich stone.

For supportive housing residents, common areas are an expansion of their living space – key colors and materials from those areas continue into the apartments for continuity. Home should feel customized, which is a challenge when apartments are rented furnished to somewhat transient residents – each apartment includes details like decorative tile inlays to make these homes feel special.