Elias Brookings School, Springfield - Paul & Niki Tsongas Award

The Elias Brookings School in Springfield is a 2023 Paul & Niki Tsongas Award recipient! The Brookings School was and remains as both an excellent example of its Collegiate Gothic-style architecture and a major remnant of the early twentieth-century appearance of the city’s Six Corners neighborhood. Built in 1925, and named for a Maine Native and Civil War veteran who served as principle of the Central Street School. The Brookings School served as an elementary school until 2011, when it was damaged by the tornado that ripped through Springfield and surrounding communities. It sat vacant until Home City Development, Inc. in partnership with Davis Square Architects, Allegrone Construction, Epsilon Associates, Inc. and many others, undertook its rehabilitation into 42 units of affordable housing.

Today, the once abandoned school breathes new life as it welcomes families to flourish in its halls. The one-time classrooms have been converted into one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with wide spaces, immaculate appliances, and high ceilings. Each unit received an in-kitchen chalkboard made from salvaged chalkboards throughout the building. Now with an elevator, the building is fully accessible, and historic interior features such as the cherubs at each doorway, fireplace and other interior and exterior historic details were preserved.

Congratulations to the Elias Brookings School and its project team!

Click here to learn more about this and other 2023 awardees!