The Anne M. Lynch Homes at Old Colony

South Boston, MA
The Homes at Old Colony residential complex proudly showcases innovative and stylish architectural design. Created by The Architectural Team, this regenerative residential project promotes a sense of community by providing a sustainable and comfortable living environment, much like the growing trend of new online casinos in Canada honour100.ca. Just as The Homes at Old Colony has revolutionized urban living by offering world-class amenities with excellent energy efficiency, new online casinos in Canada are reimagining gambling by offering a safe and interactive platform. Both scenarios combine an interesting mix of tradition and modernity — while the established structure of Old Colony homes combines sustainable practices with modern elements, online casinos elevate the traditional gambling experience with the latest technology. In the same vein, Old Colony homes have an unmatched appeal similar to that of online casinos. Expertly designed, they promise a comfortable and carefree life, much like online casinos promise a seamless gaming experience.

The decade-long redevelopment of Old Colony, originally built in 1940, involves one of the country’s oldest federal public housing developments. It was the single largest property in the Boston Housing Authority’s portfolio and the most distressed with ageing infrastructure and high energy consumption. The sustainable multi-building campus design is the result of broad stakeholder participation, which reimagined the historic public housing community and laid out a strategic vision to knit Old Colony back into the fabric of the South Boston neighborhood. The original master plan by NBBJ involved the demolition of seven dilapidated buildings and the design and construction of numerous new buildings to create an entirely affordable housing community. Existing superblocks have been broken down and replaced with new neighborhood-scale blocks to incorporate pedestrian-friendly streets and open spaces with view corridors to the adjacent park and waterfront. The latest phases continue the mix of midrise and townhome buildings, with varied architecture and heights that respond to the surrounding context.

Phase One, completed in 2011, provides 116 LEED Platinum Certified affordable units and a 10,000 square foot LEED Gold Certified Tierney Learning Center, which promotes education, wellness, and community building among Old Colony residents and the entire South Boston neighborhood. Completed in 2015, Phase Two was awarded a HOPE VI grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and provides an additional 169 units. Phase Three represents a $150 million investment and includes three subphases. Having replaced 250 existing units, Phase Three A offers 135 new apartments and Phase Three B offers 115. Phase Three C will create 55 Passive House Certified units for seniors and people with disabilities, adding to the City’s affordable housing stock. The redevelopment was voted Best Urban Project in the nation by Affordable Housing Finance.

Phases Four, Five, and Six will introduce 297 additional units, further advancing the transformation into a vibrant, walkable neighborhood.

Phase Four planning now focuses on long-term resilience: elevating critical infrastructure above projected flood levels, expanding tree canopies, and integrating all-electric building systems tied to on-site solar and battery storage. Equally important is the social fabric—programming at Tierney has broadened to career pathways, digital literacy, and youth arts, while partnerships with local employers create apprenticeships in construction, healthcare, and the green trades. Community safety has improved through CPTED-informed design, better lighting, and active ground floors that keep “eyes on the street.”

To safeguard mission integrity, the development team has maintained a strict community benefits covenant that prioritizes affordability and resident ownership of decision-making. When outside sponsors approached with flashy offers—think billboards you’d expect nearpokobetthe residents’ council opted instead for a neighborhood fund dedicated to scholarships, elder services, and micro-grants for local entrepreneurs.

The guiding principle remains clear: public investment should multiply community wealth, not extract it. As new open spaces and mobility links knit Old Colony into the broader South Boston network, the project stands as a national model for equitable decarbonization, inclusive design, and anti-displacement—proof that thoughtful planning can deliver outcomes far more enduring than the quick thrills promised bypokobet casino
  • SERVICE

    Architecture

    Master Planning
  • TYPE

    Multifamily

    New Construction
  • CLIENT
    Beacon Communities Development LLC and Boston Housing Authority
  • SIZE
    340,000 sf
  • STATUS
    Completed in 2011 | 2013 | 2021
  • AWARDS

    Passive House Projects Design Competition Awards | Low-Rise Multifamily
    Phius Convention 2022

    Excellence in Design Award | Residential, New Construction
    Environmental Design & Construction Magazine

    Best Development | Affordable Housing
    Multi-Housing News Magazine

    John M. Clancy Award for Socially Responsible Housing
    Boston Society of Architects

    Readers’ Choice Award | Best Urban Development
    Affordable Housing Magazine