Multi-Housing News - October 2009 - (Page 28)

development & design Preserving The Alexander Company transforms a 19th century finishing school into a pedestrian-friendly community By Erika Schnitzer, Associate Editor hat could a Japanese pagoda, a Swiss chalet, a Dutch windmill and an Italian villa possibly have in common? They, along with eight other architecturally distinct homes share a 32-acre campus with 116 multifamily residences in Forest Glen, Md. Inspired by the international theme of the 1893 Columbian exposition in Chicago, John and Vesta Cassedy opened National Park Seminary, a privategirls’ finishing school in 1894. The Cassedys constructed a variety of sorority houses in numerous styles, which today The Alexander Company is converting into single-family homes within its historic community. The Madison, Wis.-based development firm has fashioned a plan to create a residential community with options for various income levels. The first stage of development will feature 219 homes, including 66 historic apartments—100 percent of which have been leased—50 historic condominiums, 13 single-family homes—12 of which are historic—and 90 new-construction town homes. The historic site encompasses 27 buildings, 23 of which date from between 1887 and 1927, that overlook a 300-ft.-wide wooded ravine. So how did such a unique architectural creation come into being? A whimsical inspiration Built in 1887, the first structure of the community was a resort—known as Ye Forest Inne—that closed at the end of the 1892 season. At that time, the project architect recommended the site to his friends, the Cassedys, who opened their internationally inspired school in 1894. The couple also built the Aloha House for themselves, as well as dormitories and a gymnasium for the campus. W October 2009 | Multi-Housing News

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Multi-Housing News - October 2009

Multi-Housing News - October 2009
Contents
From the Editor
Executive Insight
News
Market Pulse
Finance: The Future of the GSEs
Investment: Transactions
Market Report: Midwest
Property Management
Development: Adaptive Reuse
Products
Technology

Multi-Housing News - October 2009