Design 2147 CEO Sisto Martello recently had the opportunity to speak with Sally Gilliland, Principal & COO of Hudson Companies, about urban developments in New York City.
Q. How has the approach to urban development changed from when you were starting your career to now?
There’s more of a focus on the impact of types of transit (cars vs mass transit), a high focus on energy use and sustainability, and an awareness of the potential impacts of climate change on our neighborhoods and their residents.
Q. What are some of the factors that you consider when determining whether to proceed with a development?
It’s a combination of factors – ranging from budget impacts (cost of land, financing, construction, investment returns) weighed alongside location, access to transit, and potential rent or sales prices.
Q. How dependent is urban development on city and state involvement?
Large-scale urban residential development in NYC is heavily dependent on city involvement, as the city provides land, financing, and rental subsidies to create housing. There is rarely much state involvement, although state oversight of tax abatements and other incentives to development do impact residential development.
Q. What is helpful for architects to understand about designing for an urban setting?
Most NYC architects are very well versed in what to consider in urban design, among those issues being the impact of new buildings on the street and surrounding neighborhood, how to plan for individual privacy for people while also creating or strengthening neighborhoods, and promoting connectivity among residents.
Q. How has the growth in work-from-home changed development considerations for residential, commercial, and community spaces?
Most new apartment buildings provided different types of amenities spaces for work-from-home, lounges, coffee bar areas, etc.
Q. One of Hudson Companies’ current projects is the redevelopment of the former Spofford Juvenile Facility into two new mixed-income, mixed-use facilities. That is a substantial undertaking. What, if anything, has surprised you throughout the process?
One of the most gratifying aspects of this project is that we are creating housing, a large park, and play areas for the entire neighborhood to enjoy, all while clearing away a building complex that represented pain and despair for Bronx residents. The community is excited about long-awaited improvements to the neighborhood that we are delivering. New development is not always so eagerly embraced by existing residents.
