The Roxbury Crossing Senior Building is the first phase of MHNHS’ plan to redevelop 2.5 acres of blighted land into a walkable, transit-oriented neighborhood center. The area was originally demolished by the Federal Government in the 1960s for a never-built expansion of I-95.

• The MHNHS team brought together a diverse coalition in support of the project, from neighborhood groups and business interests to HUD, Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development, and the Boston Redevelopment Authority.
• In addition to the apartments, the compact, efficiently planned building provides community space for residents to meet, dine, and socialize, and for events that also involve neighbors and community outreach.
• Other social spaces on the upper floors provide space for smaller groups. An upper floor roof terrace and a patio outside the ground floor community room provide outdoor social space.
• Four-story brick bays make gracious living rooms for residents and relate to the historic brick bow-fronts and three-deckers in the surrounding neighborhood. The richly detailed brick expresses the quality and permanence of the project to the community, and conveys the dignity of the residents who live there.
• The design team navigated a number of challenges in meeting strict HUD and DND requirements for materials and finishes, square footage and amenities, while preserving a tight pro forma and maintaining the design as an “as-of-right” building within the area’s zoning.