OPEN Impact leases 33,000 s/f to BCNY at 565 Morris Ave.

Bronx, NY OPEN Impact Real Estate (OPEN) signed The Boys’ Club of New York (BCNY) to  a 25-year lease for the entire 33,000 s/f building at 565 Morris Ave. The property, previously occupied by Sheltering Arms as an early education center, will be transformed into a new ‘clubhouse,’ marking a significant milestone for BCNY’s expansion into the community.

Stephen Powers, Lindsay Ornstein, Alexander Smith, and Chloe Holder of OPEN Impact Real Estate represented BCNY in the transaction, while Jordan Kaplan, Dean Rosenzweig, Jeremy Scholder, and Jojo Lewis from CBRE — and Joseph Cervini Jr. of Cervini Law Group — represented the landlord, Bronx Realty Group LLC.

BCNY plans to retrofit the existing space to support a wide range of free, high-quality programming designed for and alongside boys and young men aged 7-21. The building will feature classrooms repurposed for music, arts and media, audio engineering, computer labs, athletics and a gaming center.  BCNY’s new clubhouse will also include signature offerings such as a cooking and a hydroponics area, along with outdoor space to support future projects that address food insecurity. BCNY is expanding the gymnasium to regulation size for competitive sports and renovating the rooftop for gardening and other outdoor activities.

“This long-term lease is a testament to The Boys’ Club of New York’s dedication to creating a place where boys feel a true sense of belonging—a safe space that’s their own to have fun, explore, and grow,” said Powers. “By expanding into the Bronx, BCNY is fulfilling its promise to reach more neighborhoods, offering free access to music, sports, and enriching activities that these kids might not have elsewhere. This property, with its abundant outdoor space, will create a true campus-like atmosphere spanning more than 60,000 s/f, allowing boys to enjoy experiences typically unavailable to them. It’s more than an essential service; it’s a uniquely funded commitment to their happiness and development.”

The Boys’ Club of New York’s executive director, Stephen Tosh, said, “It is our honor to partner with communities and young people in the Bronx. While we plan to officially open this fall, this summer, we will welcome the community to stop in and share their ideas and aspirations for all boys and young men in the Bronx.”

565 Morris Ave., located in proximity to public housing and public transportation lines, offers key features including a double-height gymnasium, a 33,000 s/f programmed outdoor space, and a commercial kitchen, all of which will allow BCNY to seamlessly integrate its various programs and services.

BCNY’s move into the Bronx comes as part of its broader mission to reach underserved communities.  In addition to its new Bronx location, BCNY operates two other clubhouses: Gerry Clubhouse in Harlem and Abbe Clubhouse in Flushing, Queens.  The organization also runs a summer camp in upstate New York and is planning further expansions into Brooklyn in the coming years.

The transformation of 565 Morris Ave. is expected to be completed swiftly, with BCNY ready to serve the community immediately following occupancy.