Simone Development Companies reported that the New York City School Construction Authority has committed to a long-term lease at the Hutchinson Metro Center Atrium in the Bronx. The authority will use the space to establish the new Bronx STEAM Center, which is planned as a hub for career-connected education focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics disciplines.
The lease covers 54,245 square feet across two floors within the Hutchinson Metro Center Atrium, a three-story mixed-use property totaling 361,857 square feet. The building is located at 1776 Eastchester Rd. in the Bronx and is part of a larger campus developed by Simone Development Companies that has attracted a range of institutional and commercial users over time.
The Bronx STEAM Center initiative is framed as a significant public-private investment aimed at expanding educational and workforce preparation opportunities for Bronx students. According to the announcement, Bronx STEAM is collaborating with Montefiore Medical Center to design and deliver programs that align with high-demand fields in healthcare and technology.
Planned pathways at the new center include Certified Nursing Assistant, Cybersecurity and Medical Assisting, reflecting a focus on both clinical and technology-oriented roles within the healthcare ecosystem. By situating these programs at Hutchinson Metro Center Atrium, the partners seek to connect students more directly with an active commercial and institutional environment.
Joe Simone, president of Simone Development Companies, said that bringing the Bronx STEAM Center to the Hutchinson Metro Center is meaningful for participating students, for the campus and for the borough overall. He characterized the project as more than a new educational facility, describing it as an example of how public-private collaboration can be used to create long-term opportunities in the Bronx.
The new lease underscores continuing demand from educational and healthcare-aligned users for large floor plates in mixed-use properties that can accommodate specialized training and instructional space. By targeting high-demand career pathways, the Bronx STEAM Center and Montefiore Medical Center partnership is expected to support a pipeline of talent for roles that remain critical to the region’s healthcare and technology sectors, while also anchoring a new educational presence within the Hutchinson Metro Center Atrium.
