East Ravenswood and Gates Manor Affordable Housing Renovations

Chicago, IL and Wilmette, IL

AltusWorks was retained to design the renovation of six apartment buildings recently brought into Related Midwest’s portfolio of affordable housing. Implementing Universal Design (UD) Principles the renovations maximized available Illinois Housing Development Authority Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Located within the Crossroads at East Ravenswood Historic District in Chicago and at Gates Manor Apartments in Wilmette, Illinois, the project repaired exterior envelope failures, improved common areas and renovated a total of 175 living units ranging in size from one to four-bedroom units.

Universal Design Principles (UD) go beyond accessibility code requirements and simplify life for everyone by making the built environment more usable and benefiting people of all ages. Background, and abilities at little or no additional cost. AltusWorks was given the opportunity to educate the owner early in the design phase and to build consensus on how best to apply the UD Principles to these existing structures.