FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact: Thom Amdur, Executive Director
National Housing & Rehabilitation Association
202-939-153 or tamdur@housingonline.com

 

Three Historic Buildings Announced as Judges’ Award Winners

NH&RA Celebrates Winners during Awards Ceremony and Luncheon

 

 

Left: Lafayette Place Lofts (Photo Courtesy of Kyle J. Westberg); Middle: NSO Bell Building (Photo Courtesy of Lynn Ross); Right: Harvest Commons Apartments (Photo Courtesy of Maggie Jarr)

 

Washington, DC, November 20, 2013 “”A former  Sears Department Store built in the 1920s converted to loft-style apartments and an affordable grocery market in Pontiac, Michigan; the Chicago Viceroy Hotel adapted to affordable green apartments with urban farming; and the NSO Bell Building in Detroit, Michigan which combined multiple federal and state housing funding programs to create commercial office space and 155 affordable housing units were the three Judges’ Award winners for the 2013 J. Timothy Anderson Awards for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation (Timmy Awards).

The judges’ award winners, awarded to projects for Achievement in Sustainability and Most Advanced Financial Structure, were selected from the overall pool of Timmy Awards applications. The Achievement in Sustainability category takes into consideration elements such as LEED or Energy Star Rating certifications, sustainable design features such as geothermal heating and cooling and updated water systems, as well as environmentally friendly community programs such as urban agriculture programs and roof gardens.  The Most Advanced Financial Structure category examines the complexity of a project’s financial structure and honors projects that demonstrate the most innovative combination of multiple sources of funding.

 

On November 14, 2013 National Housing & Rehabilitation Association (NH&RA), in association with the National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC), presented the Judges’ Awards along with eight additional 2013 Timmy Awards during a ceremony and luncheon at the Langham Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.

 

“The 2013 Timmy Awards celebrate projects that make 21st century improvements to aged buildings while preserving their historic architecture and significance. All of these projects have not only helped preserve a community asset but have also boosted local economies, helped promote sustainable communities, and in some cases have provided affordable homes for hundreds of Americans” commented Thom Amdur, Executive Director of NH&RA. “More than that, these projects demonstrate the importance of partnership and individual dedication that is integral to the restoration of these buildings.”

 

The “Timmy Awards” are named in memory of J. Timothy Anderson, an architect and developer who was an early innovator in the adaptive-reuse of historic properties and a staunch advocate for historic preservation.  The awards were created to highlight outstanding real estate projects that involve rehabilitation of older, historic buildings, primarily using state or federal historic rehabilitation tax credits. Scoring is based on overall design and quality, interpretation and respect of historic elements, innovative approach to construction and use of building materials, impact on the community, sustainability, and financial and market success of the project. 2013 marks the 9th anniversary of the awards program.

 

Projects are reviewed by a multi-disciplinary panel of judges, comprised of individuals with backgrounds in historic preservation, architecture, real estate development, construction, public policy, and economic development.

 

The judges for the 2013 awards include:

  • Josh Anderson, Cedarbend Consulting, real estate consultant and developer
  • Lisa Craig, City of Annapolis, municipal historic preservation officer
  • John Kelly, Nixon Peabody LLP, real estate attorney
  • Nick Ratti, CohnReznick, LLP, accountant and consultant
  • Karl Stumpf, RTKL Associates Inc., architect
  • Brad White, Brad White & Associates, real estate developer

 

NH&RA is a professional association of companies and individuals who are involved in affordable housing, historic rehabilitation, and New Markets Tax Credit development. The association meets quarterly for serious discussions of significant issues affecting our business. Designed to foster relationships, the meetings are renowned for our combination of cutting-edge information and opportunities to network and collaborate.

 

Descriptions of 2013 Timmy Award Winning Projects

 

Best Historic Rehab Utilizing Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) (Under $5 Million Development Costs)

First Ward School Apartments, Elkins, WV

  • Developer: AU Associates, Inc. (Lexington, KY)
  • Architect: Omni Associates – Architects (Fairmont, WV)
  • Historic Consultant: Historic Rehab, LLC (Richmond, VA)

 

In 2013 AU Associates, Inc., based in Lexington, KY, completed the rehabilitation of a former school building into 16 affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments in partnership with Highland Community Builders, a local nonprofit. This $3.7 million development involved the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of a two-story building that was originally constructed in 1908 and used for nearly 70 years as a public school before closing in 1976. Funding sources for the project included equity generated by federal LIHTC and federal and state historic tax credits, general partner equity, and a first mortgage from C-HOPE.

 

Best Historic Rehab Utilizing Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) (Between $5-10 Million Development Costs)

Russell School Apartments, Lexington, KY

  • Developer: Fayette County Local Development Company / Lexington-Fayette County Urban League (Lexington, Kentucky)
  • Architect: REB Architects (Nicholasville, KY)

 

This former elementary school, originally built in 1954, sat vacant for a number of years before Fayette County Local Development Company in partnership with the Lexington-Fayette County Urban League transformed the property into 27 affordable one-bedroom apartments. The old classrooms, cafeteria, and gym were reconfigured to create apartments, which are now all occupied by former school teachers or administrators making 50% or less of the median income.  The $6.5 million project was financed by equity generated by federal LIHTC and historic rehabilitation tax credits, a federal HOME loan from the city, a HUD Section 202 loan, and other sources.

 

Best Historic Rehab Utilizing Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) (Over $10 Million Development Costs)

Kelly Cullen Community, San Francisco, CA

  • Developer: Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (San Francisco, CA)
  • Architect: Gelfand Partner Architects (San Francisco, CA)
  • Historic Consultant: Frederic Knapp Architects (San Francisco, CA)

 

In 1910, President William Howard Taft spoke at a dedication event for the then-brand new Central YMCA building in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. At its opening, the facility housed 103 hotel rooms, a theater, a grand meeting area, offices, a three floor work out facility, and a swimming pool in the basement. In late 2012, the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation transformed the building into 172 new studio apartments occupied by formerly chronically homeless individuals as well as on-site support staff, a fully operational health clinic and wellness center, and separate commercial space. The $90 million adaptive reuse utilized over a dozen different funding sources, including equity generated by federal low-income housing and historic rehabilitation tax credits, federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funds, loans from the City and County of San Francisco, and more.

 

Best Historic Rehab Utilizing New Markets Tax Credits

21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

  • Developer: 21C Museum Hotels (Louisville, KY)
  • Design Architect: Deborah Berke Partners (New York, NY)
  • Executive Architect: PWWG Architects (Pittsburgh, PA)
  • Historic Consultant: Judy Williams HPC (Columbus, OH)

 

Opened in 2012, 21c Museum Hotels used federal and state new markets tax credits and historic tax credits to finance a nearly $57 million renovation of a former federally subsidized apartment building after several years of disrepair and significant deterioration. The former Metropole apartment building, which in 2008 was the leading downtown residential address for police calls, was converted into a 156-room boutique hotel, restaurant, spa, and rooftop bar. The development also hosts a contemporary art museum with 8,000 square feet of exhibition space.  Funding sources included tax credit equity, tax-increment financing and a grant from the city, a first mortgage, subordinated debt, and a deferred developer fee.

 

Best Commercial /Retail/ Non-Residential Project

Brewhouse Inn & Suites, Milwaukee, WI

  • Developer: Gorman & Company, Inc. (Oregon, WI)
  • Architect: Gorman & Company, Inc. (Oregon, WI)
  • Historic Consultant: MacRostie Historic Advisors, LLC (Chicago, IL)

 

Madison, Wisconsin-based Gorman & Company, Inc. rehabilitated two historic buildings constructed in 1882 and 1891 that were once part of the 26-building Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery complex into this 90-unit Brewery Inn & Suites boutique hotel and Jackson’s Blue Ribbon restaurant/pub. The rehabilitated structure is certified LEED Platinum Featuring elements of the German Renaissance Revival style, the former brewing floor was transformed into a multi-floor space with a skylight that is dominated by six large copper brewing kettles and a large stained glass window.  Funding sources for the $22.3 million project included equity generated by federal and state historic tax credits, a $15 million mortgage capitalized by foreign investors through the federal EB-5 program, a seller note, and a deferred developer fee.

 

Best Market-Rate / Mixed-Income Residential

C&E Lofts, Saint Paul, MN

  • Developer: Exeter Realty Company (Saint Paul, MN)
  • Architect: BKV Group (Minneapolis, MN)
  • Historic Consultant: MacRostie Historic Advisors, LLC (Chicago, IL)

 

The seven-story Chittenden & Eastman (C & E) Building, originally constructed in 1917 to house a prominent local furniture company, was recently renovated by Exeter Realty Company to create 104 market-rate loft apartments, a resident lounge, business center, fitness center, and community space.

Historic elements that were retained include the original brick walls and timber posts ceilings, a glazed entrance vestibule with original wood and glass doors, marble stairs, and distinctive Art Moderne interior storefronts on the second level.  Funding sources for the $20.8 million project included equity generated by federal and state historic tax credits, owner equity, a deferred developer fee, and two bank loans.

 

Best Historic Rehabilitation Project Involving New Construction

Elm Terrace, Portland, ME

  • Developer: Community Housing of Maine (Portland, ME)
  • Architect: CWS Architects (Portland, ME)
  • Historic Consultant: Sutherland Conservation & Co. (Augusta, ME)

 

Community Housing of Maine (CHOM) tapped seven different funding sources to finance this $10.6 million project, which involved the renovation of the former Children’s Hospital and construction of a large, connected new addition to create 22 affordable apartments, common laundry, offices, community space, and underground parking. The structure, which was originally built in 1909, received a LEED Platinum certification, while preserving several historic features such as the original terrazzo floors and baseboards, wood trim, doors and transoms, the original iron staircase, and the original ornamental iron elevator cage displayed in the first floor lobby.  Funding sources included equity generated by federal low-income housing tax credits, federal and state historic tax credits, loans from the Maine State Housing Authority, a grant from the city, and a deferred developer fee.

 

Most Innovative Adaptive-Reuse

Harvest Commons Apartments, Chicago, IL

  • Developer: Heartland Housing (Chicago, IL)
  • Architect: Landon Bone Baker Architects (Chicago, IL)
  • Historic Consultant: McGuire Igleski & Associates (Evanston, IL)

 

Co-developers Heartland Housing and First Baptist Congregational Church transformed the former Viceroy Hotel, originally built in 1929, into this affordable apartment community containing 89 studio units serving near homeless individuals, as well as women recently released from prison seeking to rebuild their lives. The original structure, which was first built as a combination apartment-hotel and later converted to a single-room occupancy facility, was purchased by the City of Chicago in 2006 and sold for $1 in 2011 to Heartland Housing and the Baptist church with the intent to preserve it as affordable housing.  Funding sources for the $22.3 million project included equity generated by federal historic and low-income housing tax credits, the Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credit, tax-increment financing from the city, and a state grant. The federal tax credits were syndicated by Enterprise Community Investment, Inc. and the state tax credits were acquired by U.S. Bancorp CDC.

 

Judges Award: Achievement in Sustainability

Harvest Commons Apartments, Chicago, IL

  • Developer: Heartland Housing (Chicago, IL)
  • Architect: Landon Bone Baker Architects (Chicago, IL)
  • Historic Consultant: McGuire Igleski & Associates (Evanston, IL)

 

This project, which also received a 2013 Timmy Award in the category of Most Innovative Adaptive Reuse, incorporates several significant sustainability features. These include an urban agriculture component and a training kitchen to teach residents about growing food, nutrition and food preparation, rooftop solar panels for domestic hot water, and a geothermal heating and cooling system.  In addition to the equity generated by federal historic and housing tax credits and the numerous other sources, the $22.3 million project also included equity generated by federal solar tax credits.

 

Judges Award: Achievement in Sustainability

Lafayette Place Lofts, Pontiac, MI

  • Developer: Lafayette Place Lofts, LLC (Pontiac, MI)
  • Architect: TDG Architects (Pontiac, MI)

 

Three developers including West Construction Services renovated this 80,000-square-foot low-rise commercial building that was once a Sears, Roebuck & Company department store, to create 46 market-rate and affordable loft-style apartments and space for commercial tenants, including a fitness club, and a produce market that sells affordable groceries and has a café. Sustainability features include LEED Platinum certification, plus utilization of recycled, sustainable, and low-VOC building materials, a geothermal heating and cooling system, and electric car charging stations.  The $19.2 million project utilized numerous funding sources, included equity generated by federal and state historic tax credits, federal new markets tax credits, and state brownfield tax credits; local tax-increment financing; bank and bridge loans; and federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program dollars.

 

Judges Award: Most Advanced Financial Structure

NSO Bell Building, Detroit, MI

  • Developer: Neighborhood Service Organization (Detroit, MI)
  • Architect: Fusco, Shaffer, & Pappas, Inc. (Farmington Hills, MI)
  • Historic Consultant: Kidorf Preservation Consulting (Detroit, MI)

 

Neighborhood Service Corporation, a local nonprofit, harnessed thirteen different funding sources and incentives to renovate the historic former Michigan Bell Building into 155 furnished one-bedroom permanent supportive apartments serving formerly homeless individuals and commercial space including office space for Neighborhood Service Corporation. Because federal law precludes the use of both low-income housing tax credits and new markets tax credits in a single property, the building had to be divided into two separate condominium components, each with a separate ownership structure to accommodate the use of both credits. A master tenant structure was utilized, allowing the pass-through of different tax credits to different investors.  Other funding sources for this project include state historic and brownfield tax credits, federal HOME funds distributed by the city and county, multiple bridge loans and grants, a deferred developer fee, and 15-year project-based vouchers for all 155 apartments provided by Michigan State Housing Development Authority.