**Historic Beverly School Reimagined as Affordable Senior Housing**
Beacon Communities and Harborlight Homes, along with their partners, celebrated the grand opening of Beverly Village for Living & the Arts, an innovative housing development located at the former site of the historic Briscoe School in Beverly, Massachusetts. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the unveiling of 91 new residential units, including 85 affordable homes designated for low-income seniors.
The project is a model example of adaptive reuse, transforming the 1923-built Briscoe School into a vibrant, multi-functional living space while preserving key elements of its historic architecture such as the original windows and façade. The development also includes six live/work studios, designed with a preference for artist residents, reinforcing the community’s emphasis on the arts.
“Beverly Village for Living & the Arts is a testament to the power of adaptive reuse in addressing the affordable housing crisis,” said Dara Kovel, CEO of Beacon Communities. “We are grateful to Harborlight Homes and our partners for their dedication to preserving the Briscoe School’s history while sustainably transforming it into a vibrant community hub for seniors and the arts.”
The initiative not only provides critical housing for seniors but also promotes community enrichment through its integration of the arts, all while honoring the legacy of an iconic local landmark.
