DePaul Upper Falls Square Apartments

Organization Name: SWBR

Project Title: DePaul Upper Falls Square Apartments

Project Location: Rochester, NY 14605

Project Description:
Upper Falls Square Apartments is a $48M affordable housing development with support services. The 142,000 SF development features two buildings containing 150 apartments, 75 provide support services to help people live independently. Each Studio, One Bedroom, and Two Bedroom apartment features a kitchen, living area, full bath, and in-unit storage. Heat, air conditioning, basic cable, hot water, electric and community laundry facilities are included. Resident spaces include lounges, fitness rooms, and computer areas on each floor. Each building has a large community room with kitchens for resident use and community functions. Brick, natural stone, and traditional siding materials are contextual to their residential surroundings while speaking to the area’s urban and commercial fabric. Solid masonry corners re-establish the street edge along Hudson Avenue and give way to a beautiful detailed South facing terraced courtyard. The courtyard, the project’s front yard, underpins its residential character and community connectivity. Continuity of form and material lend a campus-like quality to the project without diminishing the individual presence of each building.

Community Impact:
Upper Falls Square Apartments transformed a vacant property into a vibrant, affordable community that expands housing opportunities to hundreds of low-income New Yorkers and provides supportive services necessary to help keep the most vulnerable housed. It is the first major housing development on Hudson Avenue in more than three decades. The expansion of high-quality affordable housing in Rochester supports the City’s goals of creating more jobs, safer/more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities.

The project is among the first in the State to be supported by HCR's Green Bonds program, which issues tax-exempt bonds certified by The Climate Bond Initiative, an international organization supporting financing for projects that reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. The Stubbs Apartments are certified with the US EPA Energy Star Multifamily High-Rise program and the Scott Apartments are designed to exceed the efficiency of the Energy Star Certified Homes program. Both buildings incorporate photovoltaic panels, high-efficiency heating and cooling units, Energy Star rated appliances and lighting, low or no VOC paints, primers, adhesives and sealants, and Green Label Plus carpeting.

Organization Description:
SWBR positively impacts lives through meaningful design in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and structural engineering for affordable, supportive and senior housing. We consistently provide leadership, expertise, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking through sustainable design solutions that energize our clients and enrich our communities.

Team Members:

Contractor: Christa Construction
Site/Civil: Parrone Engineering
M/E/P: M/E Engineering
Architect: SWBR
Landscape Architect: SWBR
Interior Design: SWBR

Thank you for viewing NYHC's Community Impact Gallery. Please note: NYHC does not own or manage any property. If you have any questions about a specific building, please contact the project team listed. To apply for affordable housing opportunities, see housingconnect.nyc.gov or hcr.ny.gov/find-affordable-housing

    A welcoming and uplifting community asset

    A courtyard for resident and community events

    The first major area development in decades

    Vibrant community spaces anchor the campus

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