CHNW AFFORDABLE STUDENT HOUSING

This is a one-of-kind project, with an origin story worth telling. This hotel was bought by the State of Oregon via House Bill 3261, an act which allowed the conversion of a hotel into use as affordable housing. Upon site acquisition, the state turned over the property to College Housing Northwest (CHNW) to operate. CHNW contacted us with a request to assist with converting the 74 hotel rooms into living spaces for students. 

The budget would need to be prioritized for essential items like a new sprinkler system and adding kitchenettes to all of the rooms. Since CHNW would be covering utilities for the students, the A&E team prioritized efficiency of MEP systems and adding a new solar array affixed to the existing steep gable roofs to maximize southern and western exposure. 

An existing pool was removed in favor of an interior courtyard. The existing lobby was maintained, with a commercial kitchen area demolished to prioritize space for custom study booths, common area tables and a shared conference room for group study.

This project adds 74 affordable dwelling units for students primarily attending Mt. Hood Community College. CHNW’s relationship with the college admissions results in the renovated living spaces being filled immediately as soon as construction completes.