Penn South – Mutual Redevelopment Houses Landscape Renovations

SiteWorks was selected by Mutual Redevelopment Houses to revitalize the landscaping around their buildings. The Manhattan cooperative complex of 10 high-rise buildings with 2,820 units was originally constructed in 1962. After an extensive inventory and analysis phase, SiteWorks developed a set of design principles to guide the new landscape architectural improvements. The primary objective was to complement and enhance Mutual Redevelopment Houses pastoral landscape vernacular of defined property edges, sweeping lawns punctuated with flowering trees, and specimen evergreens. Project goals included: creating a plant palette that tolerates the primarily shady site conditions and minimizes problems with pests and diseases, selecting plants that balances year-round seasonal interest and habitat enrichment, enhancing existing soil conditions with appropriate soil amendments, and re-establishing disturbed lawn areas.