flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Former motorcycle factory converted into affordable housing

Multifamily Housing

Former motorcycle factory converted into affordable housing

The Architectural Team designed the project.


By David Malone, Associate Editor | February 19, 2021
Mason Square Apartments exterior

Photos: Diamond Windows and Doors, courtesy Technoform

A 55,000-sf, five-story former manufacturing mill facility for Indian Motorcycle has been converted into 45 apartment units for low-income residents in Springfield, Mass. 

Originally built in 1890, the new Mason Square Apartments II at Indian Motorcycle now comprises one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Units range in size from 570 sf to 1,150 sf. Amenities include on-site laundry facilities, heat and hot water included, and 24 hour emergency maintenance. 

 

Mason Square Apartments exterior rear

 

The building’s existing masonry was repaired and the massive interior timber beams were retained. The large window openings were also preserved as approximately 1,300 new, high-performance, double-hung units from Diamond Windows & Doors were installed. The aluminum window frames were painted black to resemble old steel-framed factory windows from the early 20th century.

Mason Square Apartments II at Indian Motorcycle acts as a gateway to the American International College and is located on a major bus route that allows easy access to the surrounding area.

Related Stories

MFPRO+ News | Jun 3, 2024

New York’s office to residential conversion program draws interest from 64 owners

New York City’s Office Conversion Accelerator Program has been contacted by the owners of 64 commercial buildings interested in converting their properties to residential use.

MFPRO+ News | Jun 3, 2024

Seattle mayor wants to scale back energy code to spur more housing construction

Seattle’s mayor recently proposed that the city scale back a scheduled revamping of its building energy code to help boost housing production. The proposal would halt an update to the city’s multifamily and commercial building energy code that is scheduled to take effect later this year. 

Resiliency | Jun 3, 2024

Houston’s buyout program has prevented flood damage but many more homes at risk

Recent flooding in Houston has increased focus on a 30-year-old program to buy out some of the area’s most vulnerable homes. Storms dropped 23 inches of rain on parts of southeast Texas, leading to thousands of homes being flooded in low-lying neighborhoods around Houston. 

MFPRO+ New Projects | May 29, 2024

Two San Francisco multifamily high rises install onsite water recycling systems

Two high-rise apartment buildings in San Francisco have installed onsite water recycling systems that will reuse a total of 3.9 million gallons of wastewater annually. The recycled water will be used for toilet flushing, cooling towers, and landscape irrigation to significantly reduce water usage in both buildings.

MFPRO+ News | May 28, 2024

ENERGY STAR NextGen Certification for New Homes and Apartments launched

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently launched ENERGY STAR NextGen Certified Homes and Apartments, a voluntary certification program for new residential buildings. The program will increase national energy and emissions savings by accelerating the building industry’s adoption of advanced, energy-efficient technologies, according to an EPA news release. 

MFPRO+ News | May 24, 2024

Austin, Texas, outlaws windowless bedrooms

Austin, Texas will no longer allow developers to build windowless bedrooms. For at least two decades, the city had permitted developers to build thousands of windowless bedrooms.

Mass Timber | May 22, 2024

3 mass timber architecture innovations

As mass timber construction evolves from the first decade of projects, we're finding an increasing variety of mass timber solutions. Here are three primary examples.

Mixed-Use | May 22, 2024

Multifamily properties above ground-floor grocers continue to see positive rental premiums

Optimizing land usage is becoming an even bigger priority for developers. In some city centers, many large grocery stores sprawl across valuable land.

MFPRO+ News | May 21, 2024

Massachusetts governor launches advocacy group to push for more housing

Massachusetts’ Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have taken the unusual step of setting up a nonprofit to advocate for pro-housing efforts at the local level. One Commonwealth Inc., will work to provide political and financial support for local housing initiatives, a key pillar of the governor’s agenda.

MFPRO+ News | May 21, 2024

Baker Barrios Architects announces new leadership roles for multifamily, healthcare design

Baker Barrios Architects announced two new additions to its leadership: Chris Powers, RA, AIA, NCARB, EDAC, as Associate Principal and Director (Healthcare); and Mark Kluemper, AIA, NCARB, as Associate Principal and Technical Director (Multifamily).

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Curtain Wall

7 steps to investigating curtain wall leaks

It is common for significant curtain wall leakage to involve multiple variables. Therefore, a comprehensive multi-faceted investigation is required to determine the origin of leakage, according to building enclosure consultants Richard Aeck and John A. Rudisill with Rimkus. 




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021