Gilbane and MURAL Real Estate Partners’ Hillside North Building receives Building of Excellence Award
Queens, NY Gilbane Development and MURAL Real Estate Partners’ Hillside North Building, part of the first phase of the Jamaica Hillside (“Hillside”) redevelopment, has been selected for a Building of Excellence (BOE) Award from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The award recognizes the project’s sustainability profile, advanced building systems and commitment to delivering high-performance, resilient and affordable housing in New York City.
Located in Jamaica, Hillside will deliver a 13-story and a 14-story building encompassing 400 affordable residences and 17,000 s/f of neighborhood-serving retail to the community in its first phase. Developed through a joint venture between Gilbane Development Company and MURAL Real Estate Partners, an MWBE developer, Hillside will serve households across a range of incomes, including supportive housing for formerly homeless households, with supportive services provided by Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities, Inc., a Queens-based nonprofit organization.
The BOE program is one of New York State’s most competitive clean‑energy design awards, recognizing multifamily projects that advance industry‑leading innovation in carbon reduction, building performance and resident health. Hillside North’s selection underscores the project’s role as a statewide model for delivering Passive House–certified, resilient and 100% affordable housing at scale. The recognition affirms the development team’s commitment to advancing high‑performance design in communities historically underserved by sustainable investment.
The 14‑story, 173‑unit North Building is designed to achieve PHI Classic Passive House certification, Enterprise Green Communities, ENERGY STAR MFNC and Fitwel, setting a new benchmark for sustainable multifamily development. The building will also feature rooftop solar PV, high‑efficiency mechanical systems and a robust suite of resilience and occupant‑health strategies.
“Hillside represents the kind of forward‑looking, community‑centered development Gilbane is committed to delivering across New York City,” said Yarojin (Roj) Robinson, senior vice president of affordable & mixed‑income housing, Gilbane Development. “By pairing 100% affordable housing with Passive House performance and resilient design, we’re creating homes that support long‑term stability, health and opportunity for families in Jamaica. We’re honored that NYSERDA recognized this work, and grateful to our partners, including NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and NYC Housing Development Corporation (HDC) who helped bring this vision to life.”
The project is expected to close on construction financing in December 2026, achieve substantial completion in June 2029 and convert to permanent financing in January 2030.
“At MURAL, we believe affordable housing should reflect the same standard of design, sustainability and quality that we expect from any great development,” said Robin Zeigler, president and CEO of MURAL Real Estate Partners. “Hillside is about more than delivering much-needed housing – it’s about creating a healthier, more connected community where residents have access to quality homes, neighborhood-serving businesses and greater economic opportunity. This recognition from NYSERDA reinforces what is possible when affordability, sustainability and community impact are considered together from the very beginning.”
“MURAL is making a major statement with its first affordable housing development, and Hillside North is helping launch the promise of the Hillside rezoning with real ambition,” said Edward Ettinger, managing principal & partner, Ettinger Engineering Associates. “I’m proud that EEA is leading the BOE design effort and continuing to demonstrate what is possible in sustainable affordable housing, even as incentives become harder to secure. This is exactly the kind of commitment our industry needs to keep moving forward.”
Award‑Winning Sustainability & Resilience Features
Hillside’s North Building incorporates a comprehensive set of advanced systems and design strategies that were central to its BOE award selection. All ten proposed features are included in the final design:
Blackwater Source Heat Pumps for domestic hot water, reducing energy use and improving system efficiency.
Rainwater Harvesting integrated with green roof and permeable surface strategies for stormwater management.
Operable Windows in Common Spaces to enhance natural ventilation and occupant comfort.
Building Products with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) beyond EGC requirements, supporting low‑carbon material selection.
Battery/Fossil Generator with Demand Response Capability enabling participation in Con Edison’s demand response programs.
Cooling Center / Area of Refuge with backup power, mechanical ventilation, water supply, medication refrigeration, and space conditioning for emergencies.
Internal Shades to support passive cooling and reduce solar heat gain.
LEED Enhanced Commissioning (Cx) to ensure optimal performance of building systems.
Bioswales to support stormwater infiltration and improve site ecology.
Real‑Time Energy Monitoring through a Building Management System for ongoing performance tracking and optimization.
These features complement the building’s Passive House envelope, including triple‑pane windows, R‑40+ walls, R‑55–60 roof assemblies, cold‑climate PTHPs, VRF/ASHP systems and MERV‑13 filtration, all of which contribute to energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
The transit‑oriented North Building offers interior bicycle storage and sits within ¼ mile of multiple bus routes and ½ mile of subway and commuter rail connections, providing connectivity for residents.