The Bronx, NY
Casa Celina
Honoring Supreme
From the South Bronx to the Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor has lived the American dream. As a child, the future Supreme Court Justice was raised in public housing by her mother Celina Báez, a nurse and single-parent, who instilled in her children a love of reading and learning. Ms. Báez’s extraordinary commitment to her children and her community serves as the inspiration behind Casa Celina, a new affordable housing complex designed for lower income older adults and named in her honor.
Role: Co-Developer
Project Type: Affordable, Senior, New Construction
Partners: The Kretchmer Companies, Xenolith Partners, JASA
Nonprofit(s): JASA
Agencies:
Located at the corner of Watson and Thieriot Avenues in the Soundview section of the Bronx, Casa Celina consists of 205 units of high-quality, sustainable and elegant affordable housing for older adults. The project aims to provide on-site supportive services, cultural programming and a caring community focused on improving mental health and promoting social interaction for seniors. Active design is a key component of the development with lounges on every floor and a landscaped rooftop terrace with a garden serving as social spaces for residents to gather outside of their apartments and prevent isolation. A 1,700 square foot community space is accessible to both Casa Celina and NYCHA residents in the surrounding community.
The all-electric building is designed for maximum sustainability and resiliency and incorporates solar panels, cold climate all-electric heat pumps and domestic hot water heaters, sunshades, and more to make it the standard for green affordable housing. Casa Celina welcomed its first residents in 2024.
