Designed as a courtyard building that responds to its post-industrial architectural context, Freedom Village Senior Residences is a 70-unit affordable independent living facility featuring a lush private garden, neighborhood-serving community room, and internal healthcare suite. Targeted to achieve LEED Silver for Multi-Family High Rise certification, residents benefit from rooms for computer training, fitness and games, as well as lounges for communal and private enjoyment. Robust supportive services encourage the residents to be active and engaged with one another and the surrounding community while creating an environment in which the senior residents can age-in-place.
WRT worked with Pennrose Properties and their Housing Authority partner to develop this urban infill project, reclaiming a transit-adjacent brownfield site and advancing Smart Growth principles as part of the New Jersey State Plan. A key component of one of the City’s HOPE VI Revitalization Plans, the residences are located within a 10-minute walk to regional rail, less than 15 minutes to downtown shopping and public services, and on regular local bus service, providing the seniors with better access to local services and regional amenities than their former isolated, superblock public housing site. The development team’s commitment to healthy living and sustainable development includes environmentally responsible materials selected to balance the factors of longevity, durability, maintenance, aesthetic appeal and the impacts of acquisition, transportation, and manufacturing and a projected 17% reduction in energy use.
