The National Association of Home Builders Honors Volunteers of America in partnership with Paramount Development Group with a Pillars of the Industry Award.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) honoured the Blakeley Building in Lawrence, MA as one of the "best of the best" in the multifamily housing industry. The renovation of the Blakeley Building was part of a national effort undertaken by the Volunteers of America, one of the largest non-profit providers and developers of affordable housing in the country, in partnership with Paramount Development Group, to address the country's affordable housing crisis affecting families, low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
"The best of the Best" is part of the NAHB's annual pillars of industry awards program that recognises excellence in apartment design, development, management and marketing. The Blakeley Building won the award for the Most Creative Financing of an Affordable Apartment Community."
" The terrific group of winners in this year's Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards represents the top tier of the apartment and condo industry. The communities reflect great ideas and outstanding design. The marketing programs were fresh and effective. The firms and individuals that were honoured by NAHB for their achievements are to be congratulated for their innovation, perseverance and leadership" said Steve Patterson, CEO of ZOM USA and chair of NAHB's Multifamily Leadership Board. "Todays multifamily housing is beautiful, innovative, smart, green and full of terrific amenities that add to the residents' quality of life"
A marriage of old and new, the Blakeley Building project paired the redevelopment of a 118 year old commercial building with new construction to provide 46 apartments and 4,200 square feet of ground floor retail space. Residential units include 36 two-bedroom and 10-one bedroom apartments. The $14 million project took 18 months to complete with the first residents moving in February 2008. It is the first residential housing community completed by Volunteers of America in Massachusetts. Nationally, Volunteers of America owns and operates 325 affordable housing communities in 38 states that are home to nearly 25,000 people.
The six-storey Blakeley Building was built in 1890 and was used as office space for almost 100 years. While it was vacant for 10 years, many of its historic facade features remained intact. An adjoining building was built in 1879 but had been modified repeatedly and lost its historic value. This building was demolished as part of the renovation and a new six-storey building was constructed in its place. The new building contains four ground floor retail bays, a management office, laundry and a six-storey central atrium with a skylight.
"We believe in housing a a foundation for a successful life," said Charles W. Gould, national president and CEO of Volunteers of America. "Not only does the Blakeley Building provide crucial affordable housing to Lawrence, but it also rehabilitates a landmark structure that previously sat blighted and unused. We hope this effort inspires further redevelopment in downtown Lawrence and helps strengthen the local community."
