Landis Place on King

Middle Market Senior Housing

This 55+ rental community in the heart of downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania provides much-needed middle-income housing for older adults. The satellite community is designed for older adults who wish to remain in an urban setting and take advantage of the surrounding city’s resources.

The mixed-use building was designed to NGBS Gold Certification standards. It houses 79 apartments, under-building parking and third-party commercial space. Replacing two non-descript, aged buildings, Landis Place on King will help keep the city’s central business district vibrant and growing.

Photo Credit: Nathan Cox Photography

Project Highlights

Client:
Landis Communities

Location:
Lancaster, PA

Services:
Planning

Architecture

Type:
Apartments

Middle Market Housing

Urban Design

Replacing Deteriorating, Low-Density Structures

to reinforce the vibrancy and growth of the city’s central business district

Simple stacking methodologies helped to keep the building cost effective.

New Building

In an Old Neighborhood

The facade features many of the materials found in the City and creates a rhythm that makes the building approachable

The design emulates older buildings in the City without attempting to replicate a historic style given the primary project goal to remain affordable to the older residents of Lancaster.

To avoid excavation and rock removal costs, the building design placed the structure on top of the site. Lower areas of the property were then infilled.

The seven-story building has one- and two-bedroom loft-style apartments ranging in size from 739 to 1,209 square feet.

Market-Friendly 55+

Middle Market Housing

To fill the local housing gap, 25% of the apartments are priced for those with income below the county median.

A Capital Campaign made it possible for 10 apartments to be offered at levels below the published rates, with five of these units available to residents who qualify for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. In-house services are limited to reduce needed staff and operational costs, while encouraging residents to remain engaged in the greater community.

The rooftop terrace provides expansive city views.

Common Spaces

Building Community

Private and public-facing resources support integration between building residents and the surrounding neighborhood.

Resident common spaces include elevator lobby/gathering rooms, a fitness room, and top floor community room and rooftop terrace. Street level public space include the Rendezvous Restaurant and United Way offices.

55+ Satellite Community

Mixed-Use Urban Setting

Landis Place on King was born out of a desire to create abundant choices, foster community, and provide moderate-income housing for adults age 55+. The community is an intentional effort to create a diverse community of engaged older adults who are active and involved in downtown life, and who feel safe and supported in their homes as they age.

Large windows surround the lobby and connect to the streetscape.

Varied exterior finishes provide differing textures that allow the changing shadows to enrich the expression of these materials over the course of a day.

The fitness center, open to residents 24 hours,is located on an upper floor to make the most of city views.

The Rendezvous Restaurant fosters connections between residents and the surrounding community.

The rooftop spaces has shade umbrellas for bright days and a fire pit for cool evenings.

Designed to NGBS Gold Certification standards, the building features a green sedum roof.