Bronxites may soon have the opportunity to shop and dine at a landmarked building.
The developer who recently purchased the iconic Bronx General Post Office building at 149th Street and the Grand Concourse recently filed for a permit with the Department of Buildings which discloses construction plans for the site.
According to the permit application filed on December 10, Youngwoo & Associates has plans to put retail space and restaurants on the lower floors, as well as a restaurant and a roof-top terrace on upper floors. In between will be three floors of office space.
A spokesman for Youngwoo & Associates declined to comment on the subject, but said that more specific plans for the property would be revealed in January.
The developers are known for innovative projects including Delkab Market in Brooklyn and the in-progress SuperPier in Manhattan.
The spokesman told the Bronx Times in September that the developer intends to build upon the property’s legacy as a trophy of the Bronx and as an iconic gateway to the borough, supported by the site’s accessibility to Manhattan.
“Ripe with immediate potential, our plans include providing new amenities for the surrounding communities and continuing our core business of developing ground-breaking projects that will improve the quality of life and economic productivity of the borough,” he said.
The developers did bring their preliminary plans to the Community Board 4 office before filing for the permits, said district manager Jose Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said he was told that the developer wants to bring in boutique retailers, and that they plan to put an incubator for start-ups in part of the office space. He hopes further details will be discussed at a full board meeting in January, to which he has invited representatives from the firm.
Board members are very much looking forward to the developer bringing quality retailers and restaurants to the area, said Rodriguez.
“It will enhance quality of life in the district,” he said.
They were also happy to hear that the plans include space for a post office within the building.
And although Rodriguez suspects some locals are still upset about the post office being sold without community input, he’s heard mostly positive feedback about the future of the building.
“For the most part, people are happy,” he said.
