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

INWOOD, NY — The Inwood rezoning project is a source of much conversation and coverage in Upper Manhattan, and no incoming development has received more attention than "The Eliza" building replacing the old Inwood public library.

The library at 4790 Broadway was demolished in May 2021, four years after the city first announced its plan to destroy the two-story building and construct a new branch at the same site.

Replacing the old Inwood library is "The Eliza," a 14-story building that will include a new public library branch. But books are not the only thing set for the new development.

Here's everything to know about the incoming development.

Name And Opening Date

The new Inwood development is named after Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, who was Alexander Hamilton's wife. The Hamiltons lived in Upper Manhattan for much of their lives, and also got an added Upper Manhattan connection after Washington Heights native Lin-Manuel Miranda created his hit Broadway show about Alexander's life.

"The Eliza" is slated to open its doors to the Inwood community in 2022 or 2023 and is already under construction.

New Library

The lone element remaining the same about the 4790 Broadway building after it is rebuilt is the existence of a library.

The new Inwood Public Library branch was first expected to exist on the first three floors, but the most recent update is that it will be contained to the first two levels of the building.

The library will be 20,000 square feet and constructed in an effort to modernize and invigorate the available facilities.

The updated space will feature more advanced digital technologies, an expanded collection of materials, an improved layout, and a flexible space for learning and programming.

You can check out renderings of the incoming library on New York Yimby's website.

Affordable Housing

The largest part of "The Eliza" building will be the affordable housing units.

The development will offer 174 homes for low-income households earning 60 percent of the Area Median Income and below.

That checks out to the following totals:

The units will be eligible for individuals earning between $20,040 and $40,080 per year and families earning between $25,770 and $51,540 per year, city officials said. Twenty percent of the units will be reserved for families of up to three earning less than $26,000 per year, and an additional number of apartments will be reserved for formerly homeless residents.

The units will be made up of studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three-bedrooms.

Pre-Kindergarten School

A 6,800-square-foot universal pre-kindergarten facility will exist within the new library. The New York City Department of Education will operate the school.

It is unclear where within the library the facility will exist or what the name of it will be.

Activities, Culture, and Training Center (ACTS)

"The Eliza" building will have a community facility called the Activities, Culture, and Training Center, which will come equipped with 2,135-square-feet of flexible classroom space dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

The center will have a total of 10,000-square-feet of space and will be leased to First Robotics, an international organization that teaches kids about robotics.

It is unclear where in the building the Activities, Culture, and Training Center will exist.

Community Partners Involved With The Building

• Community League of the Heights (CLOTH)
• Children's Village, Ranger Properties
• Alembic Community Development
• Housing Workshop

Read More:

• Updated Plans For Affordable Units Over Inwood Library: Report
• Inwood Library Demolished, Making Room For 14-Story Building
• Inwood Library Temporary Site Set To Open: What To Know