UA Builders is planning another new apartment development in
the Bronx.
The company has just closed on the purchase of a development
site on Villa Avenue directly across the street from its already-under-construction
3168 Villa Avenue, an eight-story, 44-unit apartment property the company is
developing with Propco Holdings.
Marco Lala and his team at RM Friedland again brokered the
sale of 3165, 3167 & 3169 Villa Avenue to UA Builders.
The 6,676 s/f site consists of three vacant buildings which
have been merged into one parcel. It has 65 ft. of frontage on the west side of
Villa Avenue, just north of East 205th Street. Situated within an R8 zone, is
allows for 38,931 buildable square feet (6.02 FAR) or 42,036 buildable square
feet (6.5 FAR) with a community facility.
There is an MTA #4 train station a short walk away at the corner of Jerome Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard offering a 40-minute commute to Grand Central Station.
UA was unavailable for comment, but Lala, a senior vice president
at RM Friedland, said, “UA Builders are very bullish in the Bronx and are
building market rate buildings throughout the borough, providing quality,
affordable housing.”
Lala, who also brokered the sale of 3168 Villa in 2018, admitted
he was reticent to jinx his luck, but admitted he has enjoyed a steady flow of
deals during the coronavirus pandemic.
He currently has two other Bronx elevator buildings totaling
90 apartments in contract and is marketing a prime mixed-use building in
Chelsea.
“I don’t want to jinx it,” he said, “but I think I needed to spread a little good news. My advice to everyone out there is never give up.
“Stay in touch, ask how people are doing, what kind of
contingency plans they have in place. With current listings, I’m asking an
owner to make an honest and tough business decision. Do you need to sell now,
or can you hold off for three-to-six months. The truth will set them free.”
UA Builders Group, a privately held national construction
firm headquartered in NYC ,has several developments completed and ongoing in
the Bronx, including a residential ground-up project at 764 East 152nd Street, 915
Dawson and 2061-65 Ryer Avenue.
The projects are part of ongoing collaboration between UA
Builders Group, Propco Holdings, and Badaly & Badaly Architects.
3165, 3167 & 3169 Villa Avenue sold for $2.125 million, or 54.58 per bsf. Team Lala represented both buyer and seller, East Coast Holdings.
Picture top: Rendering of what the site can hold
