In a move toward solving Chicago’s affordable housing crisis, Holabird & Root transformed the Kenmore Apartments from a vacant 1920’s era building to contemporary, high-quality apartments for seniors.

Since it’s opening, the building has redefined expectations for affordable senior housing and is the first LEED Platinum public housing building in Chicago.

The 90,000-square-foot building underwent a complete gut rehab. Objectives such as conserving energy, improving daylighting, and maximizing tenant controllability of their built environment guided the project’s design.

The design also facilitates senior living including dark counter tops that allow seniors to count medicine easily and niches outside each apartment that create a front porch feel and allow residents to personalize their space.