5 Minutes With The Sendero Verde Team
Sendero Verde, Awards for Excellence in Affordable Housing Development Finalist
Jonathan Rose, President, Jonathan Rose Companies
Lisa Gomez, CEO, L+M Development Partners
Lymaris Albors, CEO, Acacia Network
Who has had the greatest influence on your career and what was the best advice he or she gave you?
Jonathan Rose: My father, Frederick P Rose – he had much wise real estate advice. Amongst his sayings, he told me that vacancy was a disease that could only be cured by renting at the market. He railed against procrastination, often saying “do it now”. And he applied this idea to philanthropy- he was a big believer in giving as much away as one could during one’s lifetime, and tried to encourage other real estate owners to do so.
Lisa Gomez: The best advice I ever received came from my grandfather: ‘Do something—even if it’s wrong.’ His words instilled in me the importance of taking risks and pushing forward toward a goal. I see that same drive in my L+M colleagues every day as they work relentlessly to address one of today’s biggest challenges—the shortage of housing at all levels of affordability. Their dedication continues to inspire me to make an impact.
Lymaris Albors: The greatest influence on my career is my late husband Tino Hernandez, a visionary and incredible public servant who exemplified the values of true leadership and integrity. Throughout his long and fruitful career, he mentored countless individuals who, today, hold positions of influence throughout different sectors. The best advice he gave was: “Be the master of your own destiny.” I stay true to those words every single day.
As a ULI NY Awards nominee, what makes you most proud of your project?
Jonathan Rose: I am very proud of Sendero Verde’s Passive House achievement, its mix of incomes, mix of uses, the beauty of its apartments and its courtyard design.
Lisa Gomez: Sendero Verde exemplifies L+M’s commitment to creating vibrant, inclusive communities by integrating affordable and supportive housing with thoughtfully designed community facilities and dedicated spaces for nonprofit partners. At its core, the project stands out for its innovative and smart sustainable design, which addresses one of housing’s biggest challenges — operating costs. It also reflects our commitment to deliver lasting positive impact in the neighborhoods we serve.
Lymaris Albors: What makes me proud about Sendero Verde is that it really embodies the beauty of partnership and community-driven development. As a nonprofit developer, Acacia Network was proud to be part of this joint venture and to bring to this project the flavor, legacy, and history of the East Harlem neighborhood, helping to honor and realize the vision, dreams, and desires of community members and pioneers.
What excites you about the future of New York City?
Jonathan Rose: New York City’s greatness has always grown from its neighborhoods. With City of Yes, many neighborhoods now may get some appropriate main street redevelopment near their subway stations.
Lisa Gomez: I love New York. As Jean-Paul Sartre said, ‘New York is for farsighted people, people who can focus to infinity.’ I would add that the L+M team has the unrelenting drive to bring that focus to reality, and Sendero Verde proves that.
Lymaris Albors: I am the ultimate optimist. New York City has always been seen as a city of opportunity, and I really believe this to be true. I am encouraged by the efforts I see from all sectors to ensure the preservation and development of affordable housing to make sure that all New Yorkers, whether you were born here or you are a transplant (like myself) can continue to call this great city “home”.