William Barton Rogers Middle School, formerly Hyde Park High School, has been serving and educating the Hyde Park community for over a century. Originally built in 1902 as a high school, the building has been adapted and reconfigured numerous times, with additions constructed in 1920 and again in 1934, to better serve the needs of the Hyde Park community. Today, while it is no longer able to serve as an educational institution, it remains an anchor that can continue as a monument to, and celebration of, the Hyde Park Community as well as serve as safe, mixed-income, LGBTQ friendly senior housing for Hyde Park and Boston residents. Pennrose reactivated the former public school as a vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive space that not only houses the seniors of Hyde Park but also celebrates the history of the former school and the history of Hyde Park. The entirety of the building has been preserved and adapted for this new use, which includes preservation of the historic exterior facade as well as significant interior architectural elements such as the frieze and stage of the auditorium, mosaic tiles, gymnasium and more. Large spaces are retained in the interior of the building for general use by the community. Architect DiMella Shaffer’s design included preserving the auditorium, the gym, the cinema room, and the front entrance and retains 10,000 sq. ft. of space to be used by the public that caters to residents and the community. Community organizations can use the space for meals, events, activities and can hold meetings, classes and workshops there.

The Pryde is New England’s first LGBTQ-friendly senior housing development, with 74 units available at a range of incomes, from 30% of AMI to 100% AMI, so that everyone has an opportunity to live here. Residents enjoy all of the public community spaces as well as additional amenities in the residential section of the building. The main residential entrance is on Harvard Avenue, recreating the historical porte-cochère that likely served as the primary entrance to the building in the early 1900s. The former administrative offices to the left of the residential entrance have been converted into a lobby area where residents can check their mail, grab some coffee, or sit and chat with their neighbors. This common area has seating and tables that will allow for informal mingling among residents. To the right of the residential entrance is the development’s management offices. Two main elevators have been strategically located in the courtyard, near the two knuckles of the building to reduce the distance that seniors will need to walk to enter and exit the building from their unit. The auditorium on the second floor was preserved for resident gatherings, serving as the community room for residents. Bathrooms near the entrance of the auditorium were added to improve the functionality of the space for large events. Additionally, a small warming kitchen was also included for food events. On the fourth floor of the residential wing, the existing room with built-in tiered seating was converted into a resident cinema space capable of hosting movie nights.

The Courtyard, which is a central amenity to the development plan has controlled access and is accessible to the community and residents through the building itself or via the side entrance on Everett Street on the side of the building. This space will be kept available and open to the public, while ensuring resident security and privacy.

The development offers an array of residential services targeted at helping residents successfully age in place and being a positive contributor in the Hyde Park community. As an LGBTQ-affirming senior development, tailored social gatherings and cultural events will be offered, and all staff are trained to address the unique needs of the LGBTQ senior community.