Construction Begins On 'The Eliza' At Old Inwood Library Site

INWOOD, NY—Construction began Tuesday on a new development at the Inwood Public Library that will include affordable housing and a universal pre-kindergarten school.

A number of nonprofits joined city departments for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the future site of "The Eliza," according to a news release. The development at 4790 Broadway is named for Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, the wife of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

Read more: How 'The Eliza' Inwood Development Will Be Used: A Breakdown

The old Inwood Library branch was demolished in May, with plans to create this 14-story multi-use building. An updated Inwood Library branch will occupy the first two floors of the building, as well as a universal pre-kindergarten facility. The development will contain 174 affordable housing units and a community facility called the Activities, Culture, and Training Center.

New York Public Library president Anthony W. Marx said the new Inwood branch will better serve the community.

"The Library is excited for the Inwood Library's next chapter: a brand new 20,000-square-foot building filled with books, rooms for classes and programs, computers, quiet spaces for all ages, and all of the amenities that this community needs, wants, and deserves,” Marx said in a news release.

Community League of the Heights and The Children's Village are the nonprofits leading the project along with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, The New York City Housing Development Corporation, and The New York Public Library. Other partners include Ranger Properties, Housing Workshop, Alembic Community Development, and Robin Hood.

Yvonne Stennett, executive director of Community League of the Heights, said The Eliza will help New Yorkers most in need of affordable housing.

“This project is a model for what development across the five boroughs should and must look like if we’re to achieve equity, prosperity, and opportunity for all neighborhoods of New York," she said in the news release. "We look forward to getting to work with the city and our community partners to continue serving our Inwood friends, families, and neighbors long into the future.”

Construction is expected to be finished by October 2023.