John E. Fitzgerald Unveils Villanova Heights, a Neighborhood of Traditional Houses in New York's Riverdale Section

June 3, 2009

Villanova Heights, a residential neighborhood of traditional houses designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects in the historic Riverdale section of the Bronx in New York City, was introduced to market today at an event showing the first two houses to be completed. Three additional houses are currently under construction. The houses draw on traditional American house styles—Colonial Revival, French Norman, Dutch Colonial, Arts and Crafts, and Shingle—while incorporating modern amenities. The project, which envisions 10 to 15 houses in all, is being developed by Riverdale resident John E. Fitzgerald and is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

"We chose Robert Stern because we were confident he could preserve the integrity of this important community with carefully-designed properties that blend with the personality of the area," said Mr. Fitzgerald.

"It's a pleasure to be able to work in the long tradition of American suburban enclave design, where an inspired developer gives an architect the opportunity to design a neighborhood of houses that relate to each other in scale and character, but exhibit stylistic variety," said Robert A.M. Stern. "We are creating at Villanova Heights the kind of dense, walkable suburb that Americans have valued for over a hundred years, from the time of Olmsted at Riverside, Illinois, to that of Dwight James Baum at nearby Fieldston."

"We're glad to be working once again in Riverdale, following on the conmpletion of the Perkins Visitor Center at Wave Hill in 2004," said Gary Brewer, Partner at Robert A.M. Stern Architects, who is leading the design effort along with Mr. Stern.

(Photo by Peter Aaron/Esto)

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