Last year, around this time, we told you about Patriot House, a housing project for disabled veterans at 1221-25 S. 15th St., built by CATCH (Citizens Acting Together Can Help Inc). The development, which consists of thirteen one-bedroom units and two efficiencies, was dedicated a month ago, and provides “chronically homeless veterans with permanent rental housing and supportive services… to guide residents towards self-sufficiency.”

CATCH rehabbed 3 three-story buildings on 15th St. which were previously in decent shape on the outside, but clearly needed a little TLC.

A year ago

Yesterday

Another developer in this situation might have stuccoed the facades and called it a day. CATCH, on the other hand, restored the brownstone stoops at 1221 and 1225, and preserved the detailed lintels at 1221 as well. In addition, all three cornices were maintained. Unfortunately, it looks like the lintels at 1225 were simply too far gone to restore. Also, notice how the doors were replaced with double-entrances, which are far more appropriate for these buildings than the doors they replaced.

Fancy lintels at 1221

It’s refreshing to see government-funded housing development that gives so much respect the the historic nature of the buildings being rehabbed. We can only wish that new construction affordable housing would follow a similar path. Alas, that’s a trend that we don’t see taking shape anytime soon.