Melpet Farm (The Residences at)
The redevelopment of this remarkable property has been a priority for the Town of Dennis for nearly a decade. Melpet Farm has 27 units of rental housing that are 100% affordable to households earning 60% of the area median income (AMI) or less, with 25% of the units set aside for those experiencing or facing homelessness. The eight newly –constructed residential building share a common green and contain 3-4 units each, including a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units. Each building is a two-story wood-framed building using a simple, traditional local farmhouse style, while incorporating solar design and day-lighting strategies. A freestanding community building at the entrance to the property includes a property management office, a common laundry room, and a multi-purpose community room.
The site is located on Route 134, a main thoroughfare in Dennis, and is less than a mile from Route 6, Cape Cod’s major access highway. It is directly across the street of the town’s middle school and is also less than a mile from Dennis’ major shopping and commercial district as well as its public transportation hub.
The Residences at Melpet Farm were designed to be 57% more efficient than a code compliant building of the same size and program and include super insulated walls, roof and slab, high performance windows and a super air tight environment 70% better than code requirement.
Project Partners
- Housing Assistance Corporation (co-developer)
- Barnstable County HOME Consortium
- Barnstable County
- DHCD (MA Dept. of Housing and Community Development)
- The Richman Group
- Brown, Lindquist, Fenuccio & Raber Architects, Inc
Awards and Accolades
National Association of Home Builders 2015 Best in American Living Awards: Affordable Multifamily Category