The Watershed at Hillsdale; Portland, Ore.
Low-income seniors and homeless veteran looking for housing in the Hillsdale Town Center area of southwest Portland have a new option: The Watershed at Hillsdale. The apartment project, situated on a former brownfield site, offers 51 units ranging from 615 square feet to 832 square feet in a pair of three- and four-story buildings connected by a bridge. Tigard, Ore.-based Community Partners for Affordable Housing developed the project, which anchors the lower west end of the Town Center, with the help of an EPA Cleanup Grant. The developer is the first nonprofit recipient of such a grant in the state.

Designed by William Wilson Architects of Portland, Ore., The Watershed also is sustainable, receiving LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The building is 30 percent more energy efficient than Oregon code requires and features Energy Star appliances, energy efficient windows, and reflective roofing. It achieves 30 percent water savings with low-flow faucets, showerheads, dishwashers, and dual-flush toilets. 

The Watershed is located within walking distance to 8 bus lines, restaurants, retail shops, health care, and other support services. It was funded by 15 different funding sources including low-income housing tax credits, energy tax credits, and various grants. Forty units are subsidized by Section 8 housing vouchers, while rents average $681 per month.

Ashworth Cottages is the first project in Seattle to achieve LEED for Homes Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. Developed by Pryde Johnson Urban Developments, the project includes 12 cottage-style units and eight carriage-style units surrounding two connected common spaces on .79 acres.    

Ashworth Cottages; Seattle
Seattle-based Runberg Architecture Group designed Ashworth Cottages, which offers units that range from 1,246 square feet to 1,636 square feet. Units are priced at $550,000 to $750,000. The project’s design was inspired by Danish co-housing and works to integrate higher-density development into a single-family neighborhood.  The project features numerous sustainable features including its location one block from Green Lake Park, which promotes pedestrian activity and reduced vehicle usage. The homes use as much as 50 percent less energy than similar sized homes and are both BUILT Smart and Energy Star certified. Recycled content materials used in the home construction include custom concrete countertops with recycled glass, tiles, and carpets. All paints, countertops, brick masonry, and framing materials were locally sourced. Homes use an instantaneous hot water tank, while low-flow fixtures reduce indoor water use.

Additionally, rainwater runoff from the roofs is collected in gutters and carried through to underground pipes to a large concrete cistern, which irrigates all landscaped areas on the site. Drought tolerant landscaping and a zoned irrigation system reduces the amount of water needed for landscaping.

Click here to see full coverage of the Multifamily Executive Awards.

Chris Wood is a Senior Editor for Multifamily Executive.