Habeeb & Associates Architects was retained by Messina Enterprises to prepare design documents for the adaptive reuse and renovation of a former nursing home facility into an affordable 27-unit residential condominium. This was a 32,360 sq. ft. project with unit sizes ranging from 840 to 1,018 sq. ft.

The exterior was visually modified to minimize the 3-story mass by cladding the brick with a durable low maintenance material. The color of this material complements an adjacent church and a projected cornice caps the top of the building’s façade, dramatically improving the institutional impression of the existing structure. The existing bronze-framed exterior windows were replaced with white framed single hung units with residential-style muntins dividing the upper sash to further integrate the building with its residential neighbors.

The main entrance to the building was relocated to provide access from the resident’s parking area in the rear. A new 1-story vestibule with secure access and a redesigned entrance plaza formally welcomes tenants and their guests. The stone retaining wall at the front of the building was salvaged, but the Pond Street access was in-filled as part of an integrated landscape buffer. The project also included new elevators, stairwells, roofs, drainage, and water, sewer, and gas lines.