85 North Ave

Mixed Income Waterfront Housing

This housing project is located at the intersection of Burlington’s historic Old North End Commercial/Residential District, and the revitalized Lake Champlain Waterfront.  The Old North End, an established mixed income neighborhood, is made up of diverse racial, demographic, cultural, and economic backgrounds.  The Lake Champlain waterfront is a vibrant city amenity with stunning views of the lake and distant Adirondack Mountains.

The project provides a transitional edge between the waterfront and the residential area of Burlington.  It defines this important condition and reinforces a prominent community gateway down to the waterfront.

The project provides 43 new mixed income residential units over a new parking garage.  The building floor plan layout was arranged with an offset central corridor allowing for the majority of apartments to be on the lake side of the building, with outstanding views.  The remaining city side apartments have a shallow layout so as to maximize daylighting and create an open and spacious feel.  In all, 37 of the 43 apartment have large exterior decks or terraces.  They offer a way to connect with one’s neighbors, community, and natural world.

The apartments are compact but light filled.  An electric air source heat pump system provides heating and cooling, while an energy recovery ventilation system provides fresh air.  The building envelope meets the demanding standards of the Burlington energy code “High Performance” track.  The project meets the city’s Net Zero goals of constructing increased density apartment buildings that are transit oriented, with energy efficient construction and electric systems.