The Ellerslie

At 601 Wyanoke Avenue in Baltimore's Pen Lucy neighborhood, a five-story apartment building serves as home to low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. Built in 1974, The Ellerslie has weathered four decades of changing needs and standards, prompting a series of essential updates.

Renovation Scope and Process

Enter HUD's Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, which spearheaded the building's revitalization. Rather than just patching problems, the renovations tackled core building systems head-on—replacing outdated infrastructure, upgrading mechanical systems, and installing new appliances. Fresh finishes throughout each unit brought living spaces into the current decade.

Building Composition and Resident Experience

Across its five floors, The Ellerslie houses 117 units: 70 efficiently designed studios and 47 one-bedroom apartments. Unlike typical renovation projects that temporarily displace residents, this one progressed with people in their homes. Construction crews adapted their schedules and methods to minimize disruption, preserving daily routines while steadily advancing the improvements.

Common Areas and Sustainability

Beyond private spaces, shared areas underwent their own metamorphosis. Sustainability guided every choice—from energy-efficient lighting in hallways to water-saving fixtures in common rooms. These improvements slash utility costs while shrinking the building's environmental footprint.

Courtyard and Community Features

Outside, the renovated courtyard exemplifies universal design principles. Wheelchair-accessible paths wind through raised garden beds where residents cultivate vegetables and flowers at comfortable heights. Come evening, neighbors gather before a built-in screen for movie nights under the stars, building bonds that transcend apartment walls.

Mission and Impact

With these improvements, The Ellerslie delivers more than basic shelter. Each upgrade reinforces its commitment to dignified, independent living for seniors and disabled individuals. Beyond bricks and mortar, the renovations have created spaces where community naturally blooms—from chance conversations in refreshed corridors to shared meals harvested from the courtyard garden.

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