Pok Oi Residences Celebrate Official Opening

The Pok Oi Residences, a transformative affordable housing project in Boston’s Chinatown, celebrated its official opening with a ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, May 21st. This milestone embodies a commitment to community, equity, and resilience in one of Boston’s most culturally significant neighborhoods.

Mayor Michelle Wu joined local leaders and community members to mark the opening, calling it “an important milestone in preserving affordability and community in this historic neighborhood.” Located at 288 Harrison Avenue, the development delivers 85 new homes for individuals and families at a range of income levels, including units reserved for people who have experienced homelessness.

We are honored to have worked alongside Beacon Communities, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) of New England, and a host of city and state partners to bring this vision to life. Formerly an underutilized parking lot, the site now serves as a vibrant gateway to Chinatown, balancing the challenges of urban living with the need for comfort, sustainability, and dignity in housing.

The design was deeply informed by environmental research and community feedback. With features that address air quality concerns and reduce noise from nearby highways, the building is design LEED Gold standards and is Passive House certified, underscoring its commitment to long-term sustainability and resident well-being. Every element of the design supports the goal of maintaining Chinatown’s cultural and physical accessibility for generations to come.

We’re grateful to have played a part in this meaningful project!

2 Bruner/Cott Projects Win Retrofit Metamorphosis Awards

Two Bruner/Cott projects are featured in the November/December issue of Retrofit Magazine as winners of the 2022 Metamorphosis Awards!

 

The Charles River Speedway received 1st Place in the Adaptive Reuse Category. The Speedway is a multi-building reuse project that repositions a 19th-century stable and parks department into a versatile new pubic courtyard, combining historic preservation with forward-thinking sustainable design. The judges commented, “Nice project for the community and nice to see all-electric. The project seems simple, but sometimes achieving simple is a difficult task.”

The Speedway is featured in a five-page spread. Click here to read.

Frost Terrace, a 100% affordable housing community in Cambridge, MA, received 2nd Place in the Multifamily Housing Category. The project weaves together three historic houses, significant contemporary architecture, and a dynamic, human-centered landscape to transform a forgotten residential site along a commercial avenue. The judges commented, “Charming integration of old and new. Great story about affordability and increased density. I particularly enjoy how the historic house holds the sidewalk edge without being overwhelmed by the addition of new construction behind it. Expertly scaled new construction and lovely sitework makes all the buildings – old and new – fit on the narrow site without feeling cramped.”

Read the full Frost Terrace write-up, here.

Congratulations to both project teams and thank you, Retrofit Magazine, for recognizing our work!