The Foundation for Senior Living (FSL) combined the rehabilitation of a historic building with the construction of a new seven-story building to bring 83 affordable apartment homes to seniors in Tucson, Ariz.
The century-old Marist College was named one of the Most Endangered Historic Places by the Arizona Preservation Foundation. One of the last remaining three-story mud adobe structures in the state, the building was originally a college prep school for boys until 1924, after which the school was opened to both sexes and all races despite school segregation in Arizona public schools, and then used as office space before becoming vacant in 2002. It suffered significant structural damage over the years and was at risk of collapsing.
After other developers failed at restoring the landmark, FSL stepped in to rescue the building and create eight affordable apartments and community space inside. To develop an even more impactful and financially feasible development, the nonprofit purchased a nearby site, where it has built another 75 units for seniors. About seven apartments are home to residents who are deaf, hearing impaired, or blind.
“Both of the buildings have character,” says Steve Hastings, FSL chief of real estate services. “The Marist building has a lot of history and holds a lot of interest for residents and the community. The mid-rise building also has a lot of character with a magnificent patio and community room that looks out across the valley.”
If not for The Marist on Cathedral Square development, there’s a good chance the Tucson landmark would have had to be torn down. In addition to saving a piece of history, the project goes a long way to help meet the needs of low-income seniors.
Units are set aside for residents earning no more than 40%, 50%, and 60% of the area median income.
