Just off of North Main Street, climbing up the hill between Eighth and Ninth Streets, the Roman Catholic congregation of Saint Raymond Parish established a dominant presence in the Summit neighborhood. First in the 1920’s with the construction of a convent, then a boys and girls school, and finally a rectory in the 1950’s. The rectory and convent buildings were eventually sold to private companies who operated group homes from the buildings until recently. Our client purchased the buildings to renovate into rental apartments with the rectory as the first phase of construction.

The rectory is a three and a half story gable-end building of robust concrete construction faced in yellow brick and a cement plaster base. The building has a rational arrangement of a center hallway flanked by load bearing masonry walls with stairs at either end. The original layout had a series of private bedrooms with bathrooms. The areas of living, dining, food preparation were shared common areas.

The design maintains the overall configuration of the building’s hall and stairs, but the plan had to be reconfigured from group living to stand-alone apartments. The non-load bearing walls on either side of the hall were removed allowing for flexibility in the arrangement of the eighteen apartments. The building is a mix of apartment sizes from studio to two bedrooms.

Each unit is designed to allow maximum flexibility so each renter can arrange the apartment as they choose. A single free-standing architectural element of matte gray color is positioned against the interior wall that holds the coat closet, wardrobe, and open shelving. White kitchen cabinets with quartz counters and a stainless-steel backsplash are set within the larger gray field. By positioning the built elements against the interior hall wall, the exterior windows are able to fall where they may reflective of the pre-existing irregular arrangement of windows on the sides of the building.

Sleeping areas open onto the living space for a flexible loft-like arrangement. An optional unit arrangement adds second free-standing architectural element positioned between the sleeping and living areas and holds a wardrobe, open shelving, and entertainment center for those seeking more separation between areas.

A new rear entry covered by a black steel awning opens onto a common area lobby with lounge seating. Other amenities on the lower level include a mailroom, laundry, and storage areas.