Best affordable rental seniors housing design for Global Awards shortlisted
LONDON: The shortlist for the best affordable rental seniors housing design has been declared.
Over 250 designs have been considered by the awards secretariat. One of the finalists in this category is shown below.
Evergreen Real Estate Group and Council for Jewish Elderly (doing business as CJE SeniorLife) announced the first move-ins at Ann Rainey Apartments, a 60-unit affordable senior rental community at 1011 Howard St. in Evanston.
Located on Howard Street, the $25 million project is next to the existing CJE SeniorLife Adult Day Services center, which provides programming and socialization opportunities for seniors who require supervision during the day. The new residential community is named for Ann Rainey, who served as alderman of Evanston’s 8th Ward for more than three decades and is credited with spurring investment along the Howard Street corridor during her time in office.
Professionally operated by Evergreen’s in-house management team, many of whom have previously worked in social services and the nonprofit sector, Ann Rainey Apartments offers 54 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom independent living apartments for seniors age 62 or older, with incomes at or below 60% of the Area Median Income.
The new structure features a contemporary facade of white concrete with brightly painted metal trim and wood accents that complement the existing ADS building, whose exterior features a mosaic tree mural created by the center’s staff, clients and volunteers. Public art is also incorporated into the design of Ann Rainey Apartments, whose entrance and an adjacent courtyard will showcase a mural by local artists Alfonso “Piloto” Nieves Ruiz and Sonja Henderson.
Located on floors two through four, the contemporary apartments feature large windows, high ceilings, modern kitchens, window treatments and intercom entry.
Common areas include a community room, fitness center, outdoor terrace and lounge areas on each floor. In addition, residents can enjoy a second-floor rooftop deck with views of the neighborhood and a wood deck – also used by clients of the ADS facility – for outdoor socializing. Bike storage and garage parking are also available.
Housing and Human Development Corporation (HHDC), a Chicago-based nonprofit that serves low-income seniors and families, will provide a part-time social service coordinator to perform resident assessments, serve as a liaison with community service agencies and assist with resident programming, among other functions designed to improve resident well-being.
Evergreen Construction Company (ECC), a division of Evergreen Real Estate Group, served as general contractor on Ann Rainey Apartments, which was designed by architecture firm UrbanWorks and is targeting LEED Silver certification.
The ECC team also made renovations to the existing ADS building at 1015 Howard St., including reconfiguring the lobby to enhance security and overall functionality, along with HVAC upgrades and roof and masonry work.
While the two structures have separate entrances, ADS staff and clients have access to the new development’s second-floor outdoor terrace. However, ADS participants cannot enter the residential building and residents of Ann Rainey Apartments cannot enter the ADS building without passing through each building’s secure front entrance.
Ann Rainey Apartments is owned by 1015 Howard LP, a partnership that includes Evergreen, CJE and U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, the community development and tax credit subsidiary of U.S. Bank.
Financial partners include IFF, provider of the pre-development loan; U.S. Bank, provider of the construction loan and mortgage loan; U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, the tax credit investor; the city of Evanston, which provided HOME and local Affordable Housing Funds; IHDA, which awarded the Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and the Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credits (IAHTC); the Housing Authority of Cook County, which provided project-based vouchers for 30 units; and the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program.
Ann Rainey Apartments is located close to shops and restaurants along Howard Street, as well as several bus routes, including those that connect to the CTA’s Howard L station.
The Global Award winner will be announced in December in London. (Globals)
