Redefining Senior Living: How The Pryde is Breaking Barriers, Promoting Health, & Building Strong Communities
The Pryde
Hyde Park, Boston, MA | Image Courtesy of DiMella Shaffer
This year’s Best in Building Health winner for achieving the Highest Scoring Senior Housing Design award is The Pryde, an affordable housing development for LGBTQ-affirming seniors. But in reality, The Pryde is much more than a development, it’s a “beacon of belonging.”
AT A GLANCE
The Pryde
Hyde Park, Boston, MA
+ Highest Scoring Project
Senior Housing vbeta (Design)
As the first LGBTQ-affirming affordable senior housing development in Massachusetts, The Pryde goes beyond conventional standards to redefine senior living and provide inclusive “affordable housing for all.” Designed with the belief that every individual deserves a fulfilling and healthy lifestyle, the Pryde’s apartment complex transcends the traditional concept of housing to become a dynamic hub of well-being, activity, and camaraderie. In fact, the name came from community discussions and reflects the connection between the community and the historic building in the heart of the Hyde Park neighborhood.
The 74-unit development, housed in a former school building, boasts a variety of health-promoting and accessible amenities tailored to seniors. From spacious, thoughtfully designed apartments to on-site fitness facilities and wellness programs inspired by the Fitwel Standard, everything at The Pryde is designed with residents' well-being in mind. In addition, it includes a public community center offering activities, resources, and events aimed at fostering connections and promoting well-being among the greater community.
Here are some insights from Karmen Cheung and Lee Reedy, members of the ambitious project team behind The Pryde.
Karmen Cheung
Senior Developer, Pennrose
Why did the project teams decide to pursue Fitwel for this project?
KC: A key goal of building The Pryde is to provide a space for all seniors, particularly LGBTQ older adults, to age in community with one another in a vibrant and healthy setting. We decided to use Fitwel Certification as a more systematic and evidence-based approach to incorporating best practices for healthy residential communities, whether through physical design, interior signage, or management policies- factors especially important for this demographic.
What advice would you give a team who is considering adopting Fitwel for the first time?
KC: Using the Fitwel Standard’s strategies as a tool early on in the design process is key; that way, it will enable teams to maximize the benefits of going through certification programs and pursue the best strategies given the project.
The Pyrde
Hyde Park, Boston, MA | Image Courtesy of DiMella Shaffer
What are your ESG goals for 2024 and how have they evolved in response to market demand and regulations?
LR: In 2024 Pennrose will continue our activities related to our ongoing commitment to environmental, health and safety, corporate social responsibility, governance, sustainability, and other public policy matters throughout the company. These activities will include identifying how to measure our corporate progress and establish educational support and programming for the health and well-being of the residents in our communities.
Lee R. Reedy, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Pennrose
About Pennrose
With over 50 years of experience, Pennrose combines quality development and proven management to deliver exceptional lifestyle-centered communities for its residents. With superior knowledge and unparalleled dedication to get the job done right, Pennrose develops and operates conventional, affordable, mixed-income, and mixed-use communities throughout the United States. For more information visit pennrose.com.
Who made this year’s Best in Building Health list? Visit fitwel.org/bibh and reserve your copy of our popular spin-off series, Building Health Vol. 2.
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