Philadelphia PA | 2007 | Completed
Consultant Team:
BWA Architecture + Planning | Design & Planning
Stantec | Civil Engineer
Mark Ulrick Engineers Inc. | Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Engineer
O’Donnell & Naccarato | Structural Engineer
The charismatic pastors of Mt. Tabor AME Church were able to realize a long-held dream of building senior housing on a sizeable vacant lot adjacent to the church. In a rapidly changing neighborhood, a large population of older adults were underserved with respect to support program to keep them active and for the most part self-sufficient, and increasingly at risk of being priced out of housing in their own neighborhood. Reverends Lang and Moore of Mt. Tabor in addition to a corps of committed volunteers pursued a vision for making their community better. The development began as a Community Design Collaborative service grant that gave Mt. Tabor the tools to pursue funding with a strong team of development consultants and, ultimately, to bring the project to fruition. The new four-story apartment building by BWA Architecture + Planning provides high-quality, affordable housing for low-income seniors as an integral part of a vision for a connected, diverse, and thriving community. Cyber Village features 56 rental apartments, containing 15 accessible units for tenants with physical disabilities, and five for those who have vision or hearing impairments. The new site also offers a host of amenities including a Cyber Cafe, community lounges, fitness center, laundry room, tranquil outdoor areas, and a multi-purpose/events spaces.
Photo credit: Don Pearse