Transformation is underway in Portland’s West End, at the former site of Mercy Hospital, as the 7 story building and its surroundings are evolving into the Nightingale—a tribute to nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale. The area will host 260 new apartments, catering to various budgets, ranging from affordable units to luxury townhouses.
Within the former Mercy Hospital building, 165 studio and one-bedroom apartments will be available, featuring rents from $1,500 to $2,800 per month, alongside ground floor commercial spaces. Notably, 17 apartments are allocated for workforce housing, specifically for those earning 100% or less of the area median income, set at $82,810 in Portland for 2023.
Adjacent to this development, Community Housing of Maine and Portland Housing Development are constructing two affordable-unit buildings—one for families and one for seniors. These projects will introduce nearly 100 income-restricted apartments, contributing to alleviating the city’s rental housing shortage. Winter Landing, tailored for adults aged 62 and over, will offer 52 one-bedroom units, while Equinox, situated at the corner of Spring and Winter streets, will include a variety of units, available to those making below 50% and 60% of the area median income.
Financed at $65 million, the Nightingale project incorporates historic tax credits and repurposes spaces from the past. Residents can enjoy amenities like a fitness and yoga center, a library, a rooftop deck, a coworking space, and a pet spa. Additionally, the ground level will feature four retail spaces developed by NewHeight Redfern.
An intriguing aspect is the 45,000-square-foot “dark space” in the basement, once home to the hospital’s kitchen, morgue, and phlebotomy lab. In a unique twist, this space will be transformed into a self-storage facility, offering up to 400 units for both tenants and the public.
The project’s first phase is slated for completion by January 2024, while construction on Winter Landing & Equinox is underway, with expectations for their completion in late summer and early fall of 2024. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story
