flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

8 noteworthy multifamily housing projects, including a refuge for unsheltered youth

Multifamily Housing

8 noteworthy multifamily housing projects, including a refuge for unsheltered youth

Outstanding residential projects from around the country: affordable apartments in “Viz Valley,” Calif., pet-friendly rentals near Boston, plugged-in luxury rentals in Arizona, and five more.


By Robert Cassidy, Executive Editor | January 12, 2023
Group of people on rooftop patio at sunset
Covenant House rooftop patio. Photo © Adam Kane Macchia

Join us on a nationwide tour of notable new multifamily projects, among them a paint factory in St. Louis that’s been turned into loft apartments, an artists’ complex in Miami, and an affordable community in Denver that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

1. Covenant House meets the needs of NYC’s unhoused youth
 

Person sitting in modern multifamily affordable apartment
Photo © Adam Kane Macchia

The new Covenant House New York rises 12 stories above Hell’s Kitchen on Manhattan’s West Side. The 80,495-sf facility provides housing and social services for unsheltered youth. The lower five floors hold staff offices, classrooms, a wellness center, a café, and an art room. Each upper story has 10 bedrooms, two to four people per room. Individual bathroom and bathing facilities meet residents’ gender identity needs.

FXCollaborative (architect, interior design, programming) managed the project team for Covenant House International (owner) and The Gotham Organization (development partner): DeSimone Consulting Engineers (SE), Cosentini Associates (MEP), Langan (CE, environmental/geotech), Frank Seta & Associates (exterior envelope), VDA (vertical transport), Horton Lees Brogden Lighting Design (lighting), Longman Lindsey (acoustics), Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners (landscape design), Cini-little International (foodservice), and Monadnock Construction (GC).

 

2. Condo tower joins Atlanta mega-complex
 

U-shaped multifamily development on Midtown Atlanta skyline
40 West 12th is at right in Midtown Atlanta's West Peachtree complex. Photo © Engel & Völkers Atlanta

Rule Joy Trammell + Rubio’s architects and interior designers created a 64-condominium high-rise community for developers Selig Development and Rockefeller Group. 40 West 12th is one of three high-rises that anchor Midtown Atlanta’s West Peachtree mega-development. Uzun + Case (SE), Eberly & Associates (CE), SITE Solutions (landscape architect), and Brasfield & Gorrie (GC) contributed.

RJTR brought 40 West 12 and its sister buildings together to form a U-shape on the Midtown Atlanta skyline, linked aesthetically through consistent, tectonic architectural dialogue, and physically through an elevated plaza on the ninth floor. The ninth-floor Sky Terrace, over an acre of communal outdoor space, punctuates the shiny exterior of the architecture with bright greenery. Residents on 40 West 12th's west side have access to a private indoor-outdoor lounge that rounds out the plaza's Central Park-like experience.


Read more about 40 West 12th:


 

3. San Francisco’s ‘Viz Valley’ scores 166 affordable apartments
 

Viz Valley affordable apartments in California
The $90 million Sunnydale Block 6, near San Francisco. Photo © Bruce Damonte

Levy Design Partners (architect), Mercy Housing (owner), Related Companies of California (developer), and Nibbi Brothers General Contractors (GC) delivered Sunnydale Block 6, which replaced 75-year-old barracks-style housing in the Visitacion Valley neighborhood—known locally as Viz Valley—of southeast San Francisco.

Residents of Sunnydale got first choice of 125 of the affordable family one- to four-bedroom apartment units; 41 went to low-income families in the city. The HOPE SF program contributed funding to the $90 million project.

 

4. Miami arts district gets a touch of green
 

Arts district in Miami, Florida
Dramatic screened panels highlight Strata Wynwood in Miami's Wynwood Arts District. Photo © Seamus Payne

Strata Wynwood, an eight-story, mixed-use structure, added 257 studio and one- to three-bedroom rentals (509 to 1,288 sf), 2,500 sf of artist studios, and three floors of office space to Miami’s Wynwood Arts District.

A portion of the building’s façade is surrounded by large vertical screened panels portraying artwork by local artists. The panels also conceal the parking garage and provide natural ventilation for the space. Curving around the building between the window glass panels, protruding vertical fins display additional colorful works of art. The largest of the artist panels, measuring 56 feet in height, is situated at the entrance of a paseo, which is landscaped with numerous sculptures and connects pedestrians from North Miami Avenue to an internal street and a series of artist studios along the FEC Railway.

Stantec (architect, SE, landscape architect) helmed the project team of Unison Group (interiors), Feller Engineering (MEP/FP), and KAST Construction (GC). The original owner, CIM Group, sold the property last March to Rockpoint. Florida Green Building Coalition certification is being pursued.

 

5. Arizona luxury rentals use a smart technology app
 

Modern clubhouse in smart apartment complex
North Phoenix's Kalon Luxury Apartments. Photo © Michael Baxter

In suburban North Phoenix, Ariz., the $49 million Kalon Luxury Apartments offers 215 studio one- and two-bedroom rentals (554 to 1,123 sf). The smart door locks, thermostats, and lighting are controlled by the Cox MyAPT app.

Located adjacent to the Sonoran Desert Preserve, Kalon is an elevator-served community with climate-controlled corridors and a two-story volume fitness center.  The Creative Suite at Kalon, which offers private workspaces and large conference rooms, has been widely utilized by residents working from home. The project was a 2022 Arizona Multihousing Association Tribute Award finalist for the association’s Developers Award.

The project team for developer P.B. Bell: Todd & Associates (architect, landscape architect), Lawrence Lake Interiors (interior design), Landa & Associates (SE), Hunter Engineering (CE), NP Engineering (MEP), and MT Builders (GC). Notable subcontractors include JR McDade, Ridgeline Construction, America Roofing, Arizona Fire Protection, and Vann Engineering.  

 

6. Downtown Buffalo adds 115 market-rate rental apartments
 

Downtown Buffalo apartments
Lounge at Seneca One Apartments, Buffalo, N.Y. Photo © Matthew Digati | Digati Photography

Douglas Development Corp. (developer, GC) has opened Seneca One Apartments, a 115-unit market-rate community in downtown Buffalo, N.Y. The $23 million enterprise provided studio and one- to three-bedroom apartments, a restaurant and bar, and a community lounge. The SO Apartments are a short walk to Canalside, KeyBank Center, Sahlen’s Field, and some of the City of Good Neighbors’ most popular restaurants and bars.

Antunovich (architect), skippered the team of Trautman Associates (engineer), D.V. Brown & Associates (mechanical), Industrial Power and Lighting (electrical), and Gypsum Systems (drywall).

 

7. Denver complex enhances services to persons with disabilities
 

Denver apartment complex for persons with disabilities
The Stella provides 132 affordable residences in Denver. Photo © Matthew Staver

The Stella, a 132-unit affordable community in Denver’s Globeville neighborhood, prioritizes individuals and families earning 30-80% of AMI. The project is an expansion of Laradon Hall, which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Gorman & Company (developer) was assisted by Shopworks Architecture (architect), Enayat Schneider Smith Engineering (SE), Ware Malcomb (CE), ABLE Consulting Group (mechanical), MV Consulting (electrical), MEC Inc. (plumbing), Group 14 Engineering (sustainability), Flow Design Collaborative (landscape design), and Deneuve Construction (GC).

Gorman & Company, headquartered in Oregon, Wis., has offices in Denver and Orlando, Fla. Founded in 1984, Gorman has been recognized as one of the nation’s top “Affordable Housing Developers” by Affordable Housing Finance magazine.

 

8. St. Louis paint factory turned into lofts in Steelcote square
 

Young people gathered in loft living space
The adaptive reuse of a paint plant produced Steelcote Lofts, in Midtown St. Louis. Photo © Sam Fentress

The former Steelcote paints and coatings plant in St. Louis’ historic Midtown is now the $8.5 million, 33-unit Steelcote Lofts, part of Pier Property Group’s Steelcote Square, which includes Steelcote Crossing (15 studio rentals) and Steelcote Flats (33 apartments)—all designed by Trivers (architect, interior design). Contributing to the Lofts: KPFF (SE), CDI Engineering Solutions (CE), and Pinnacle Contracting (GC).

Steelcote Square is positioned as a catalyst for this formerly underutilized section of St. Louis, with proximity to Saint Louis University’s academic and healthcare campuses, public transportation, and new Target and Top Golf locations currently in development.

ALSO SEE:
8 senior living communities that provide residents with memory care
10 compelling multifamily developments debut in 2022

Top 106 multifamily housing kitchen and bath amenities – get the full report
7 tips for designing fitness studios in multifamily housing developments
9 noteworthy multifamily developments to debut in 2022
7 things to know about designing for Chinese multifamily developers

Related Stories

Resiliency | Sep 3, 2024

Phius introduces retrofit standard for more resilient buildings

Phius recently released, REVIVE 2024, a retrofit standard for more resilient buildings. The standard focuses on resilience against grid outages by ensuring structures remain habitable for at least a week during extreme weather events.

Products and Materials | Aug 31, 2024

Top building products for August 2024

BD+C Editors break down August's top 15 building products, from waterproof wall panel systems to portable indoor pickleball surface solutions.

Adaptive Reuse | Aug 29, 2024

More than 1.2 billion sf of office space have strong potential for residential conversion

More than 1.2 billion sf of U.S. office space—14.8% of the nation’s total—have strong potential for conversion to residential use, according to real estate software and services firm Yardi. Yardi’s new Conversion Feasibility Index scores office buildings on their suitability for multifamily conversion.

Adaptive Reuse | Aug 28, 2024

Cities in Washington State will offer tax breaks for office-to-residential conversions

A law passed earlier this year by the Washington State Legislature allows developers to defer sales and use taxes if they convert existing structures, including office buildings, into affordable housing.

Affordable Housing | Aug 27, 2024

Not gaining community support is key barrier to more affordable housing projects

In a recent survey, builders and planners cited difficulty in generating community support as a key challenge to getting more affordable housing projects built. The survey by coUrbanize found that 94% of respondents tried to gain community input and support through public meetings, but many were frustrated by low attendance. Few respondents thought the process was productive.

Adaptive Reuse | Aug 22, 2024

6 key fire and life safety considerations for office-to-residential conversions

Office-to-residential conversions may be fraught with fire and life safety challenges, from egress requirements to fire protection system gaps. Here are six important considerations to consider.

Multifamily Housing | Aug 21, 2024

Nation's leading multifamily developer expands into infrastructure

Greystar's strategy for infrastructure is driven by the shifting landscape of today's cities—primarily in the increased digitization, urbanization, and transitions to clean energy.

MFPRO+ New Projects | Aug 20, 2024

Seattle workforce housing project inspired by geology of eastern Washington

J.G. Whittier Apartments, a workforce housing project in Seattle uses the geology of eastern Washington as inspiration for the design. The architecture and interior design celebrate geometric anomalies found in nature. At the corners of the building, blackened wood siding “erodes” to expose vibrant murals underneath.

MFPRO+ New Projects | Aug 16, 2024

At 60 stories, the Paramount multifamily development will stand as Nashville’s tallest high rise

When complete, the 60-story Paramount building, at 750 feet high, will be the tallest high rise tower in Nashville, Tenn., surpassing the city’s current record holder, the 617-foot AT&T Building. The $390 million Paramount project recently launched condo sales after securing more than $230 million in construction financing.

Curtain Wall | Aug 15, 2024

7 steps to investigating curtain wall leaks

It is common for significant curtain wall leakage to involve multiple variables. Therefore, a comprehensive multi-faceted investigation is required to determine the origin of leakage, according to building enclosure consultants Richard Aeck and John A. Rudisill with Rimkus. 

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021