Old Town
Commons
Successful Redevelopment into a Mixed-Income Community
Completed 2010-2014
The former James Bland public housing development covers five blocks (8.49 acres) within the Parker Gray Historic District. The redevelopment effort is VHDLLC’s largest project thus far, executed in four phases beginning in 2008 with the last phase being completed in 2014. The original James Bland community consisted of 194 public housing units that were replaced by a total of 379 of which 134 were affordable triplex and multi-family units standing side by side with 245 market rate townhomes and condominiums, thus embracing the mixed-income neighborhood concept. The triplex buildings containing affordable units nevertheless read from the streetscape as two adjacent townhomes, blending seamlessly into the rows of high-end townhouse units. The multi-family units likewise cannot be distinguished from the market rate condominium buildings. An interesting mixture of Colonial Revival, Italianate, Folk Victorian, Queen Anne, and modern “industrial inspired” detailing provides a blend of styles that complement the vernacular architecture.
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