John Arthur Flats

Introducing the award-winning John Arthur Flats, Cincinnati’s First LGBTQ+ Retirement Community

The Douglas Company is proud to have served as the general contractor for John Arthur Flats, Cincinnati’s first LGBTQ+ affirming affordable senior housing community. Completed in November 2022, this pioneering development offers 57 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments tailored for residents aged 55 and older. The three-story, 50,195-square-foot building features a distinctive exterior design, incorporating charcoal metal panels and a custom brick blend.

Residents enjoy a range of amenities, including a fitness center, community room, wellness center, on-site laundry facilities, a dog park, and an outdoor terrace. In addition to these features, on-site social and medical services are available, specifically geared toward LGBTQ+ needs, ensuring a supportive environment for all residents. John Arthur Flats is a collaboration between neighborhood community development corporation Northsiders Engaged in Sustainable Transformation (NEST) and national developer Pennrose Properties, LLC. Additionally, the project was designed by New Republic Architecture with sustainability consulting, energy modeling, and certification services provided by Sol Design + Consulting.

Rendering provided by New Republic Architecture

The Douglas Company is honored to have been part of this transformative project, contributing to the expansion of affordable housing options for Cincinnati’s senior LGBTQ+ community. This development not only addresses the need for affordable senior housing but also fosters an inclusive and supportive environment for its residents. As a 100% employee-owned company, The Douglas Company is dedicated to delivering high-quality construction services that meet the diverse needs of the communities we serve.

In 2024, John Arthur Flats received the Quality of Life Award for Ohio from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), recognizing its excellence in enhancing residents’ well-being. The project achieved LEED Gold certification, demonstrating a commitment to environmentally responsible design and construction practices. Key performance metrics include a predicted 48% reduction in energy use compared to the LEED baseline, a 37% reduction in envelope air leakage, and a 40% reduction in indoor water use through the utilization of water-efficient fixtures. The development was built on previously developed land and earned exemplary performance for both compact development and community resources.

Our involvement in John Arthur Flats underscores our commitment to building inclusive, affordable housing solutions that enhance the quality of life for all individuals.

Construction Challenges and Solutions for John Arthur Flats

Challenge 1: A delay in electrical component manufacturing postponed procurement of the main electrical gear. As a solution, temporary breakers were utilized to bypass the delay and move forward with permanent power and electrical equipment installation.
Challenge 2: Material manufacturing delays created the need to find an alternate for the fire alarm system. Even with a change to a new manufacturer, there was shortage of pieces to make the system work. The Douglas Company scoured the market and was able to procure the devices from many different sources.
Challenge 3: A bulletin was added shortly after the initial owner contract was executed, changing a fair amount of building detail. The Douglas Company was able to pivot and secure pricing quickly to avoid potential material delays.

Additional Information About John Arthur Flats

Project Type: Affordable Senior Apartments
Project Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Number of Units: 57
Owner: Pennrose Properties, LLC
Architect: New Republic Architecture
Completion Date: November 2022
Total Square Footage: 50,000 square feet
Total Contract Value: $9.4 Million
Amenities: Fitness Center, Community Lounge, Wellness Center, On-Site Laundry Room, Dog Park, and an Outdoor Terrace