Developers Chosen To Redevelop Abandoned Kingsbridge Armory In The Bronx

Maddd Equities and Joy Construction have been selected to bring new life to the abandoned century-old Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx.

Armed with a $200M investment from the city and state, along with additional funding from local and federal grants, the joint venture plans to redevelop the 570K SF landmark over the course of two phases. Madd and Joy's venture, 8th Regiment Partners, won the request for proposal process, which was launched September 2023, to redevelop the decommissioned military site.

Named El Centro Kingsbridge, the project’s first phase will focus on turning the historic building into a mixed-use facility with 25K SF of community space, as well as an event venue, educational space for workforce development and sports fields. Phase 2 includes the construction of 450 permanently affordable rental units adjacent to the armory. 

“This is a wonderful example of a public-private partnership that will revitalize one of the most unique and historical buildings in New York,” Maddd Equities principal Gabriella Madruga said in a statement on behalf of the joint venture. “We are humbled to be the stewards of a property and a project that will leverage New York’s rich historical past to create an exciting and dynamic future.”

The redevelopment is expected to generate nearly $2.6B in economic impact over the next 30 years, creating over 3,000 construction jobs and 360 permanent jobs, according to an announcement by the city.

“We look forward to bringing our experience to help execute the vision for the Armory while continuing to work with the local community, the elected and government officials and the trades council to create jobs and to deliver a product we can all be proud of.” Joy Construction principal Eli Weiss said in an additional statement to Bisnow.

The armory opened in 1917 and was used throughout the first half of the 20th century. It was designated as a New York City Landmark in 1974 and listed on the New York State and the National Register of Historical Places in 1982. 

But the fortress, including its 180K SF drill hall — the size of three football fields — was decommissioned in the 1990s. In 1996, ownership was transferred to the city. 

The armory has largely sat empty since, with the exception of the occasional film shoot, such as for Amazon Prime’s series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Plans for reuse, such as transforming the armory into a shopping mall and ice-skating complex, have come and gone.  

During the city’s most recent RFP process, other proposals for redevelopment came from film and TV production company Steiner Studios and Agritecture, an urban-farming advisory group, The New York Times reported early last year.

Queens-based Maddd Equities and Manhattan-based Joy Construction are frequent partners with a history with the city's historic properties — they landed Trader Joe's at Bridgemarket, "Manhattan's most beautiful supermarket," under the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. 

They also partnering on a 611-unit apartment project at  375 West 207th St. in Inwood with a 37K SF Food Bazaar at its base.  

“8th Regiment Partners' proposal embraced the community’s vision plan for the Armory and demonstrated through their thoughtful design, programmatic uses and financial viability that, in partnership with the city and state, they can finally deliver the economic engine and community amenities that the Bronx wants and deserves,” New York City Economic Development Corp. President and CEO ​​Andrew Kimball said in a statement.