The Serviam Campus is a multiphase development that consists of Serviam Gardens, Serviam Towers and Serviam Heights.  It is by far our largest retrofitting and new-construction project to date and began opening its doors to low income seniors in 2009.  The campus was developed on land leased from the Ursuline Sisters of the Bedford Park Convent of Mt. St. Ursula.  Upon opening, Serviam made an instant impact on the community and as the development continued to expand so did it’s impact.  

 

Today the campus is home to over 430 units of affordable housing as well as a Senior Community Life Center and amenities that include a wellness center, game room, library, resident vegetable gardens, media room, several lounges and both indoor and outdoor gathering spaces.  The amenities, activities, and programs offered are shared among all of the senior citizens that reside at Serviam.  This has provided a sense of community and increased physical/mental well-being among all residents, a rare quality among affordable senior housing developments in New York City.

 

A number of green elements were incorporated into the design and construction of the campus. Both the interior and the exterior of the buildings feature various green amenities. On the inside, apartments include low-emissive argon-filled windows, Energy Star appliances, and low-flow water fixtures, dual flush toilets, bamboo flooring and bathroom tiles made of recycled content.  The buildings feature low-energy elevators, improved insulation and efficient boiler systems. Serviam is also home to an intensive rooftop garden terrace. It includes vine-covered trellises, bench nooks, and furnished alcoves set among trees, shrubs and beds of wildflowers and succulents. Serviam also features extensive landscaping on the grounds.   

 

The Serviam Campus was designed by Jack Coogan of Oaklander, Coogan and Vitto (OCV) Architects with landscape design by Robin Key Landscape Architects.  Serviam Gardens was retrofitted and built by Galaxy Construction.