Commercial Replacement Windows Bring New Life to Historic St. Joseph's Place

St. Joseph's Place, an affordable senior living community by Catholic Housing & Community Services, has been given a new lease on life thanks to a thoughtful renovation featuring Pella windows. The project transformed the 100-year-old St. Joseph Parish Elementary School into 50 stylish, comfortable apartments for low-income seniors aged 62 and older.

The renovation, designed by Kramer + Marks Architects and constructed by Domus Construction, aimed to preserve the structure's historic elements while seamlessly integrating a new addition to unify the buildings. This presented a unique challenge that required windows capable of authentic historic replication and products suitable for modern construction.

Our extensive product range made us the perfect partner for this project. Pella® Reserve™ — Traditional wood windows were selected for the original school building to match the existing historic windows and gain historic approval. These windows combine timeless beauty and exquisite detailing with modern performance.

For the new addition, Pella® Impervia® fiberglass windows offered the ideal solution. Engineered to meet the rigorous performance requirements of commercial buildings, these durable, energy-efficient windows are well-suited to multi-family and senior living applications.

The front façade of St. Joseph's Place features nine large spring line window combinations that create a striking focal point. Pella crafted custom half-circle transoms with extra-wide sightlines to precisely match the originals.

The crisp white windows make a stunning statement against the classic red brick, with a mix of traditional double-hung windows, elegant arched units and custom grille patterns that enhance the building's historic character. The result is a remarkable fusion of old and new that will enrich the lives of St. Joseph's Place residents for years to come.

In addition to apartments, St. Joseph's Place features amenities designed to support residents' wellbeing, including a community room, food cupboard, laundry, lounges and on-site social services. Large windows flood these common spaces with natural light, creating an uplifting environment for seniors to gather and connect.

The project team's meticulous attention to detail, combined with Pella's innovative window solutions, has birthed a truly exceptional senior living community that will allow residents to age in place gracefully in the heart of their historic neighborhood. St. Joseph's Place stands as a testament to the power of collaborative problem-solving in adaptive reuse projects.