Vesta Corporation is pleased to share that The Longfellow Senior Housing earned recognition as the 2024 Redevelopment of the Year CoStar Impact Award winner in the Cleveland, Ohio market. Winners – chosen for their growth, diversification, and ability to overcome unique challenges in their markets – were selected by a panel of more than 660 industry professionals. This honor acknowledges the exceptional transformation of the historic Henry W. Longfellow School into an affordable senior housing community.
The school, constructed in 1924 by architect Walter McCornack, functioned as an educational hub in Collinwood for more than 85 years before closing in 2011. The Cleveland Restoration Society prevented demolition by securing national landmark status. Following a competitive selection process, Vesta Corporation was tasked with converting the structure into 80 one- and two-bedroom affordable senior residences.
The renovation merged historic conservation with contemporary functionality. The original building’s 30 apartments retained distinctive features including expansive windows and marble sills, utilizing salvaged materials. An additional 50-unit building provided supplementary housing and community gathering areas.
The $23.7 million undertaking drew funding from multiple sources: 4% and 9% LIHTC allocations, HUD financing, City of Cleveland Housing Trust Fund support, and Federal and State Historic Tax Credits.
The organization acknowledged collaborative partners including Marous Brothers Construction, Bellwether Enterprise, KeyBank, the Cleveland Restoration Society, Councilman Michael D. Polensek, and LDA Architects, Inc., as well as the residents and personnel who made the project a success.