FTK Launches $70.4 Million LIHTC Preservation Project at Historic Stuart Gardens in Virginia
FTK Construction Services, a nationwide general contractor specializing in affordable housing and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects, has announced a major new contract to renovate and preserve Stuart Gardens, a historic affordable housing community in Newport News, Virginia. The project carries a total contract value of $70,365,223 and represents a significant investment in preserving long-term housing for residents while modernizing the property’s buildings, apartments and shared spaces.
The Stuart Gardens rehabilitation project is being undertaken in partnership with Vitus Group, the property’s owner, and True Craft Architecture, which is serving as the project’s architect. Merchants Bank and HUD are providing financing for the redevelopment.
Originally constructed in 1941, Stuart Gardens was developed as defense housing for military personnel and civilian wartime workers during World War II. The community has significant historical importance and is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register as a notable example of wartime housing.
Today, Stuart Gardens consists of 491 residential units distributed across 109 garden-style buildings on approximately 40 acres. The extensive rehabilitation program is designed to preserve the community while bringing its residences and infrastructure up to modern standards. The improvements will address apartment interiors, building exteriors, common areas and site infrastructure.
A major component of the project will focus on upgrading individual apartment homes. Residents will benefit from renovated kitchens and bathrooms featuring new plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, countertops and appliances. Interior spaces will also receive fresh paint, new flooring and updated lighting fixtures.
Bathroom improvements will include new tub and shower surrounds, providing residents with more contemporary and functional spaces. Energy-efficient water heaters will also be installed as part of the rehabilitation, helping improve the efficiency and performance of the residential units.
The exterior renovation program will be equally comprehensive. Buildings throughout the community are scheduled to receive new roofs, gutters and downspouts, along with insulation and other exterior repairs. The project will also include the installation of new sheathing, weather barriers and siding to improve building performance and protection from the elements.
Additional exterior improvements will include new railings, windows and doors, as well as fresh exterior paint and upgraded lighting. Crawl spaces will also be restructured and repaired, addressing important elements of the buildings’ underlying infrastructure.
These improvements are expected to enhance the appearance, durability and functionality of the Stuart Gardens buildings while helping preserve the community for future generations of residents.
The rehabilitation will extend beyond individual apartment buildings. Several shared facilities and community spaces will also receive upgrades designed to improve residents’ everyday experience.
The community room will be modernized with a new kitchen area and bathroom, while new paint and other improvements will refresh the space. Postal facilities will also be upgraded, and playground areas will receive improvements, including new equipment designed to provide better recreational opportunities for children and families.
Site improvements will represent another significant part of the project. Planned work includes upgrades to asphalt, paving, concrete and sidewalks throughout the property. Landscaping improvements will also contribute to the overall appearance and usability of the 40-acre community.
Together, these improvements are intended to create a safer, more attractive and more comfortable environment while maintaining Stuart Gardens as an important source of affordable housing in Newport News.
Jim Goodman, CEO of FTK Construction Services, highlighted the scale and significance of the project and the collaboration required to bring it forward. He noted that the redevelopment has been approximately four years in the making and involved close coordination with the Vitus Group and True Craft Architecture teams.
Goodman described the size and historic character of Stuart Gardens as factors that make the project particularly distinctive. He also expressed FTK’s appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the redevelopment and its broader relationship with the Vitus Group team.
The project demonstrates the important role of LIHTC financing in preserving existing affordable housing. Rather than replacing the Stuart Gardens community, the rehabilitation program is focused on extending the useful life of the property while providing residents with upgraded homes and community facilities.
Historic affordable housing communities such as Stuart Gardens can face challenges as buildings age and infrastructure requires significant investment. Comprehensive rehabilitation can help address these needs while retaining existing housing opportunities for residents who depend on affordable rental homes.
Vitus Group, based in Seattle, is the owner of Stuart Gardens and focuses on the development and preservation of affordable housing for economically disadvantaged families and seniors. The company has established a national presence as an affordable housing preservation developer, with more than 130 properties across 30 states.
Its work centers on preserving and improving housing communities so residents can have safe, functional and dignified places to live. The Stuart Gardens project aligns with that mission by combining historic preservation with extensive modernization.
The partnership between FTK Construction Services, Vitus Group, True Craft Architecture, Merchants Bank and HUD brings together development, construction, architectural and financing expertise for the large-scale rehabilitation.
Once completed, the Stuart Gardens improvements are expected to provide residents with significantly upgraded living spaces, enhanced community amenities and improved site infrastructure while preserving the property’s historic identity.
The $70.4 million project represents a substantial commitment to the future of affordable housing in Newport News. By investing in the rehabilitation of all 491 units and the surrounding community, the project will help maintain an important affordable housing resource while addressing the needs of an aging property.
For FTK Construction Services, the award further strengthens its position as a nationwide general contractor specializing in LIHTC and affordable housing projects. For Vitus Group and its partners, the Stuart Gardens redevelopment represents an opportunity to protect a historically significant community and ensure that it continues serving residents for years to come.
As work begins, the comprehensive rehabilitation of Stuart Gardens will mark a major new chapter for the 1941-era community, combining preservation, modernization and investment to create a stronger and more sustainable affordable housing community in Virginia.
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