Development—Irvington, New York

Burnham Building

Jonathan Rose Companies redeveloped the Burnham Building, the former Lord and Burnham factory building built in 1881, into 22 affordable housing units and a 10,200 square foot public library. The milestone project is a model for green development and public/private collaboration among a village, its residents, public agencies, a for-profit developer, and a not-for-profit organization. A transit oriented development, the building is located on the corner of Main Street in Irvington, New York, directly across from the Metro North Railroad Station. 

The Village of Irvington was keenly aware of its need for affordable housing and a larger, modern library facility to serve its residents. After a comprehensive public participation process, the Village Board chose to form a partnership with Jonathan Rose Companies as developer, the supporters of the Village Library as funders of library improvements, and the not-for-profit Greyston Foundation as the owner/ manager of the affordable housing. The building's ground floor was redeveloped as the Village Library, including an ample public meeting room and computers with internet access. The upper floors were converted into rental housing for residents earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income (AMI). 

Jonathan Rose Companies managed all aspects of design, construction, and financing for the project. Green features of the project include a solar-powered, glass-enclosed community room on the roof, recycled cellulose insulation, triple-glazed windows (also used to mitigate train noise), high-efficiency mechanical equipment, low-VOC paints and hardwood flooring. The Burnham building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 at the time of its completion. 

Selected Awards

2007
  • Terner Prize for Innovation and Leadership in Affordable Housing, Finalist
2001
  • Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Northeast Green Building Award
2000
  • New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials/ Empire State Report Local Government Achievement Awards, Certificate of Merit
  • The American Institute of Architects – Westchester/Mid-Hudson Chapter, Community Design Award
  • The Preservation League of New York State Annual Preservation Award
1999
  • Westchester Municipal Planning Federation Planning Achievement Award
Learn more
Project Profile

Conversion of an historic factory building into 22 rental units of affordable housing and a 10,200 square foot public library

Download Project PDF
Project Team
Architect:
Steven Tilly Architects
Project Status

Completion: 1999

Total Project Size / Budget
22,000 SF
$6.6 million
Total Units
22 Affordable Units
Public Library
10,200 square foot