Revere Affordable Housing
110 Ocean Avenue is an affordable, climate-resilient housing development in Revere that cultivates community, sustainability, and the well-being of its diverse residents.
Located just steps from the Atlantic Ocean, 110 Ocean sits at the intersection of critical urban challenges. For generations, the beach has anchored the area’s commercial and civic life. Today, however, the neighborhood faces a wave of new market-rate developments that are displacing lower-income residents. As Revere experiences accelerating and unequal growth, there is an urgent need to protect and affirm affordable housing and the communities it serves. MASS is partnering with The Neighborhood Developers (TND) to advocate for the stability and prosperity of these diverse immigrant communities.
The nearby beach is both a vital asset and a growing risk, as rising sea levels from climate change necessitate the reconsideration of conventional development strategies. 110 Ocean presents an opportunity to model a response to physical, social, and environmental challenges by incorporating resilient coastal design strategies that prioritize comfort, safety, and long-term sustainability.
North Suffolk Community Services (NSCS), which has operated on the site for over 40 years, is poised to support current residents as they transition to independent living. The existing building will be replaced with new group homes and office space for NSCS’s Adult Community Clinical Services team.
The new design includes a variety of open and shared spaces to foster community, belonging, and flexibility. Common areas connect individual homes with open sightlines and easy circulation, while adaptable spaces will accommodate community events and gatherings. Public realm improvements include a generous landscaped area with trees and benches, and a roof terrace will offer residents additional outdoor space.
To reduce embodied carbon, the building will feature a hybrid wood and mass timber construction system above Level 2, using light wood-framed walls and cross-laminated timber (CLT) floors, cores, and roofs. The project is targeting Passive House certification, emphasizing low operational energy use through high-performance envelopes, efficient mechanical systems, and all-electric utilities.
