The Bellwether
Affordable and Market-rate Housing Development
The partnership of Ecotekture and Salient Development Corp., is developing a 4-story, 40-unit workforce residential building in Provincetown, MA that will offer a mix of affordable and market-rate apartments. The Shank Painter project creates a thriving, communal living environment. Intended to help alleviate Provincetown's housing shortage, the development offers a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, catering to a diverse range of year-round residents, including service workers, young professionals, older couples, and families.
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Client: Ecotekture and Saliant Development Corp.
Location: Provincetown, MA
Year: 2023 -
Status: Ongoing
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Site History and Approach
The project is the result of a Request for Proposals put out by the Town of Provincetown for the transformation of the former Provincetown Police Station site into housing; part of the Town’s broader initiative to address the critical housing shortage that has long affected the area. Notably, recent zoning amendments allow for increased density and building height on this site.
The building features a welcoming community porch on Shank Painter Road, presenting a street-front scene familiar to Provincetown. The primary entrance is located mid-building and is accessible from on-site parking and areas to the east, offering convenient access to elevators, a mail room, and storage spaces.
Connecting to the Outdoors
Our approach to the Shank Painter project emphasizes outdoor living with ample space for bicycle parking, pedestrian-friendly pathways, and ecologically appropriate landscaping. The design includes porches, outdoor seating areas, and well-planned greenery, fostering a communal lifestyle and enhancing residents' well-being. Many units feature private outdoor spaces such as balconies or roof terraces, providing residents with personal retreats to enjoy the outdoors and enhance their living experience.
Contextually Responsive
The building design draws from Provincetown's rich architectural heritage. The four-story structure, designed to appear as three stories with a penthouse, has a reduced apparent height, harmonizing with the surrounding buildings. While the east-facing façade is segmented into cascading sections, breaking down the building's massing and creating a welcoming, smaller-scale environment. The use of wood siding and traditional detailing breaks down the scale, making the building feel both new and authentic to Provincetown.
Current Progress
The Shank Painter Housing project is currently in the schematic design and permitting phase. Stay tuned for updates as we progress towards creating a welcoming and sustainable living environment for Provincetown's residents.