Developer: Enterprise Homes, Inc.

Architect: Grimm + Parker Architects

Major Funders: Capital One; Enterprise Community Investment, Inc.; Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development; Anne Arundel County Community Development Services

Enterprise Homes, Inc., has transformed a trash-strewn lot into affordable apartments for seniors in its greenest development to date.

The Greens at Hammonds Lane in Baltimore is one of the first projects to use an Anne Arundel County law that provides a density bonus for properties that serve low-income seniors. The bonus allowed Enterprise to develop 90 apartments on a site that would have otherwise yielded 10 single-family homes.

Developers also worked with local officials to pass legislation that exempts affordable seniors communities from systems connection charges, which saved the project more than $500,000.

Boasting a soaring two-level lobby area and a wellness center with space for visiting nurses, the development is Enterprise Homes' “most beautiful development yet,” says President and CEO Chickie Grayson.

It is also energy efficient, with a new variable refrigerant flow heating and cooling system. All of the building's heating and cooling is on a central meter, but residents still have individual thermostats in their apartments.

Enterprise also developed an innovative storm-water system featuring swales and bio-filtration areas to reduce erosion into a nearby tributary. When it rains, it creates a waterfall.

Apartments are reserved for residents earning no more than 30, 40, 50, and 60 percent of the area median income.

The $14.3 million project was financed with about $10.3 million in low-income housing tax credit equity and a loan from Capital One.