Edison Avenue Lofts

The transformation of the iconic historic YMCA building into Edison Avenue Lofts an affordable housing development and arts hub enables it to continue to deliver many of the Y’s same functions within the community by establishing new housing choices and security to its residents, enhancing the arts and community through artists-in-residence and creative studio space, and once again filling the center of Granite City with the vibrancy of occupation and the creative arts.

Edison Avenue Lofts not only offers residents a comfortable place to live, but also a strong community with a deep connection to the arts. Residency is geared towards the arts with a few units set aside for veterans who work with art. These units are fully ADA accessible. The apartments span in size from 500 to 991 square feet and rents range from $525 to $750 per month. Tenants will need to meet set income requirements to qualify.

Rosemann & Associates’ intent was to passionately preserves the historic elements of the building already present, while purposefully transforming the 48,000 square foot structure into 37 affordable one-and two-bedroom loft-style apartments and arts hub, along with 5000 square foot commercial space, 6000 square foot common area and full list of attractive amenities. The main lobby, where Y-users checked in, retains its original desk and open monumental stair. The remainder of the space is repurposed as a Galley to highlight resident art, with an adjacent community performance space. Additional amenity highlights are formal lobby and gallery, Energy Star / Sustainable Design apartments with high efficiency furnaces and appliances, dedicated bike racks, universal design & ADA units, community laundry facility, galleries, art studio & performing arts space, Wi-Fi access, fitness room., computer lab, storage, on-site management and maintenance, and a large studio area that is available for arts programing and other community benefit.

This successful community transformation was made achievable through the support of affordable housing tax credits, historic rehabilitation tax credit equity, construction financing, HOME funds/Madison County Community Development, Illinois Housing Development Corporation, and IAHTC charitable contribution.