GVSA Newsletter: Affordable Housing Edition

At Goode Van Slyke Architecture (GVSA), we are deeply committed to ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality housing. Guided by our four core philosophical tenets, we strive daily to make impactful decisions that benefit the community:

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Creating successful housing-for-all solutions requires not only experience and expertise with various federal and state design guidelines but also a genuine passion for improving our environment and community-for-all. At GVSA, this passion is fundamental to our identity, transforming mere housing into true homes for residents.

We are proud to say our dedication has attracted many national housing partners, enabling us to contribute to the design of ~5,000 units of affordable housing across various projects currently. These initiatives often involve planning entire communities—or what we like to call “Districts”—that offer a rich diversity of housing options, fostering truly inclusive and vibrant neighborhoods. This begins to mend our cities and communities in a way that is more comprehensive, meaningful, and permanent. GVSA's mission to provide a home for everyone aligns seamlessly with our firm's identity and values, and it is this alignment that drives our success in these projects.

- Paul Van Slyke

COSBY SPEAR HIGH RISE

Cosby Spear High Rise consists of two ten and eleven-story high-rise apartment buildings. GVSA was selected to renovate the interior and balconies of the coupling of buildings, which features a total of two hundred eighty-two affordable dwelling units. Both buildings were constructed in 1972 and feature a total gross area of 230,963 square feet.

Currently undergoing Value Engineering, with plans to submit for permits by the end of June. This phase is critical in optimizing construction costs without compromising quality. The project team is focused on achieving regulatory approvals swiftly to maintain project momentum.

Expected Completion: September 2026

CIVIC CENTER R1

After a seven year effort of design and analysis with public and private entities, the first building of the mixed use master plan for the historic Civic Center site is in design and going through permitting. Civic Center R1 Senior, as it is currently named, is a 100% affordable senior housing project with 148 units, located on Pine Street on the northeast corner of the site.

The project remains in the design and permitting stages. Progress continues steadily as the team navigates through regulatory processes to ensure compliance and timely approvals. The focus is on refining architectural plans and securing necessary permits to advance to the next phase of development.

Expected Completion: July 2026

HENDERSON PLACE

Nestled in Atlanta's King Historic District, Henderson Place emerges as a beacon of community revitalization. With 76 affordable housing units spanning 72,000 square feet, it promises inclusive living spaces, ranging from cozy one-bedroom apartments to spacious three-bedroom homes. Henderson Place pays homage to the district's heritage through its architectural design, seamlessly blending historical elements with modern amenities.

We're currently finalizing rough grading to ensure the site is level and ready for the next phase. Installation of underground utilities, including water lines, sewer systems, storm water drainage, electrical conduits, and telecommunications cabling, is progressing well. Coordination with local utility providers has been seamless, meeting city standards for all installations. Next, we're preparing for concrete foundation work, setting up form work and rebar, with the concrete pour scheduled for next week. This marks the beginning of visible above-ground construction. We're also prioritizing the completion of underground utility connections to ensure all systems are fully operational. Throughout this process, we continue to engage with the local community, maintaining open communication channels to address any concerns and provide regular updates.

Expected Completion: April 2025

MEET MARGO

Margo is GVSA's Affordable Housing expert. She has over 10 years of experience working with multi-family housing spanning affordable housing, market rate, new construction, and adaptive reuse. Margo is actively involved in the Atlanta Design and Real Estate Community having served on the ULI's Women's Leadership Initiative Committee, currently participating in ULI's Center for Leadership, and as a member of AIA, ULI, and WAHN. She brings her passion for affordable, equitable, and sustainable housing to GVSA where she is dedicated to growing and managing our Affordable Housing Studio.

CHRIS GOODE + HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

We are proud to recognize Chris Goode, co-founder of Goode Van Slyke Architecture, for his role on the Board of Directors for Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. Since joining the board in 2023, Chris has leveraged his architectural expertise and passion for community development to help drive the organization's mission forward. His contributions have been instrumental in fostering sustainable growth and enhancing community impact. We celebrate Chris's ongoing dedication to building a better Atlanta.