Neighborhood of the Arts Apartments

DePaul Neighborhood of the Arts Apartments is a 60 unit mixed affordable and supportive housing project located in Rochester’s historic University Avenue area. SWBR designed a solution that utilizes repetition of existing building forms and colors within the neighborhood. The solution creates a vibrant new member of the neighborhood rather than simply acting as a backdrop for the existing buildings. The project site of five buildings became an identifiable asset within the neighborhood. The resulting vibrant campus provides a dignified and uplifting environment for supportive housing while affording residents the vital opportunity to be engaged in the surrounding community.

Additionally, 810 and 816 University Avenue were renovated to bring them to a character more consistent with that of the neighborhood and homes in the area. The new building fits onto the small site while creating a new vista for Alma Place, creating a positive outdoor space for occupants and is sensitive to the identities of 810 and 816 University Avenue.

The very small site consisted of little more than two existing backyards previously paved for parking and housing multicar garages.