Architecture
Moderate Rehabilitation
- Type
Highland Glen Apartments
Westwood, MA
The $6.9 million moderate rehabilitation of Highland Glen Apartments repositioned an outdated 1970s three-building apartment campus, presenting a compelling opportunity to reimagine an underutilized asset into valuable housing for an aging population. The newly modernized community is comprised of 180 refurbished mixed-income units designed for active adults aged 62+.
Creating a high-efficiency thermal envelope to ensure resident comfort while significantly reducing energy usage was a priority – this was achieved through complete roofing replacement, adding attic insulation throughout, and installing new energy-efficient storefront windows in amenity spaces. Strategic upgrades to the mechanical systems included new heat pumps, an Energy Recovery Ventilation System, and high-efficiency condensing boilers.
Within individual units, upgrades to plumbing, lighting fixtures, and other appliances are an equally valuable means of improving energy efficiency. New resilient kitchen and bathroom flooring, updated casework, vanities, plumbing fixtures, and low-flow toilets are utilized throughout the units. Efficient LED lighting and new gas ranges, dishwashers, microwaves, and garbage disposals were installed.
Amenity spaces were modernized, including a fitness center, computer-learning flex space, salon, community kitchen, wellness suite, and laundry facilities. Senior residents benefit from newly added walking trails, a patio, a greenhouse, and landscaped green space. The moderate rehabilitation of communities like Highland Glen Apartments is a highly sustainable and cost-effective design practice that improves financial performance, energy efficiency, and livability – transforming struggling properties into income-producing assets. Interiors in collaboration with Beacon Concepts.
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