Valley CDC’s East Gables Apartments provides quality affordable studio apartments near the heart of downtown Amherst. Located on Route 9/Northampton Road, upslope and east of Amherst College’s Football stadium, the new apartment building ties into the historic fabric of Amherst’s Town Center. The height of the building, its massing and relationship to the Road took cues from other homes along this section of Northampton Road. The project is one of the first passive house affordable buildings in Amherst, and features many sustainable site amenities with an emphasis on stormwater and resident experience. The project integrates grass pavers in parking areas as well as near a custom built bike enclosure and storage area.   The project including a specialized rain garden, ornamental plantings, and surface infiltration basin to balance pre and post stormwater flows.

ARCHITECT: Austin Design

PHOTOGRAPHY: Staff