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East Harlem Center for Living and LearningA spectacular green community hub has opened its doors in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/tag/harlem" target="_blank">East Harlem</a>. Leading local community members, celebrities, and city officials gathered yesterday to celebrate the grand opening of The East Harlem Center for Living and Learning, a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/leed-gold" target="_blank">LEED Gold</a>-seeking <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/mixed-use-development/" target="_blank">mixed-use development</a> made possible through public-private partnerships. The $84 million energy-efficient center offers residential, office, and educational space all outfitted with low-emitting, recycled, and locally produced materials.1
East Harlem Center for Living and LearningLocated at Washington Houses, the 143,000-square-foot multifamily development comprises 88 affordable housing units, a 54,000-square-foot home for a DREAM Charter School, and 6,000-square-feet of office space for the non-profit Harlem RBI.2
East Harlem Center for Living and LearningThe K-8 public charter school includes a full chef’s kitchen, a “gymnatorium” made largely from repurposed wood, and an outdoor area with a garden.3
East Harlem Center for Living and LearningEast Harlem Center for Living and Learning classroom4
East Harlem Center for Living and LearningEast Harlem Center for Living and Learning classroom5
East Harlem Center for Living and LearningThe East Harlem Center for Living and Learning project also features a newly renovated Blake Hobbs public park.6
East Harlem Center for Living and LearningThe building is expected to received LEED Gold rating for its use of sustainable systems and materials, which include energy-efficient boilers; low-VOC paint; low-e windows; recycled and locally produced materials; and easy access to public transportation.7
East Harlem Center for Living and LearningThe gymnatorium.8
East Harlem Center for Living and LearningPictured from left to right: Shola Olatoya, NYCHA Chair; Terri Ludwig, President and CEO of Enterprise Community Partners, Inc.; David Umansky, CEO and Co-Founder of Civic Builders; Jonathan F.P. Rose, President of Jonathan Rose Companies; Mark Teixeira, Board of Directors of Harlem RBI and New York Yankee; Richard Berlin, Executive Director of Harlem RBI and Chair of DREAM Charter School; and NYS Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez.9
