BOSTON— A sweeping $40.1 million effort to modernize and transform the Eva White Apartments, a 102-unit affordable housing community for seniors and people with disabilities in Boston’s South End, is officially underway.
Led by the Castle Square Tenants Organization (CSTO) and WinnDevelopment, the project includes a full renovation of the property’s two seven-story towers and a cutting-edge Deep Energy Retrofit set to begin in July.
Originally constructed nearly 60 years ago, Eva White Apartments is receiving its first comprehensive update. The plan includes major upgrades to apartment interiors, creation of new amenity spaces, and the introduction of on-site health services aimed at helping residents age in place.
“This modernization project demonstrates how CSTO has shattered stereotypes and expectations for more than 30 years now, continuously strengthening community engagement among residents by listening and effectively responding to their needs,” said CSTO Executive Director Deborah Backus.
A cornerstone of the project is the retrofit of the building envelope. The towers will receive super-insulated prefabricated metal panel cladding and triple-glazed windows. These improvements are expected to reduce annual energy use by 49 to 67 percent. Christina McPike, Vice President of Energy & Sustainability at WinnCompanies, called the retrofit “an important demonstration of what is possible for existing buildings in the Commonwealth’s path to net zero emissions.”
The project’s scale and ambition mirror the 2012 Deep Energy Retrofit completed at the neighboring Castle Square Apartments—also a CSTO and WinnDevelopment partnership. That project became a national model and helped win CSTO recognition as a pioneer in community-led housing initiatives.
CSTO became 99 percent owner of Eva White Apartments in late 2024, following years of pandemic-related delays. The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) continues to hold a 99-year ground lease on the property, ensuring its long-term affordability.
“Now more than ever, Boston needs communities like Eva White where seniors and adults with disabilities can thrive, access services, stay connected, and age in place with dignity,” said BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok. “This transformation is about more than modernization—it’s about honoring the lives of long-time residents by investing in their health, stability and future.”
The renovation will modernize all 102 units, including 34 studios, 57 one-bedroom, and 11 two-bedroom apartments. Six units will be made ADA-compliant. New wellness areas, a fitness room, and updated common spaces are also part of the plan. The buildings’ mechanical systems will be electrified and upgraded to energy-efficient heat pump technology.
Health services will be delivered on-site by Boston Senior Home Care, coordinated by Connected Communities, a nonprofit affiliated with WinnCompanies. Staff will include a registered nurse, community health worker, and tenant resource counselor.
To fund the renovation, the project leveraged federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, financing from MassHousing, and support from multiple public and private entities including the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, Bank of America, Citizens Bank, and the Federal Home Loan Bank.
“The renovations at Eva White Apartments will transform the complex into a modern, energy-efficient facility that residents can take pride in,” said Massachusetts Housing Secretary Ed Augustus.
Construction is being led by Keith Construction, with architectural and engineering support from Reisen Design Associates, Petersen Engineering, and WSP Building Structures. Sunrise Erectors will install the building envelope, with Building Enclosure Associates consulting on the retrofit. The project is expected to be completed by April 2026.
“This collaborative effort with our public and private partners will create new on-site health services for the residents and the property’s two buildings will undergo an extensive Deep Energy Retrofit that will result in annual energy savings,” said MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay.
CSTO, founded in 1987 in response to the threatened sale of Castle Square Apartments, continues to operate as a leader in resident-driven community development. With the Eva White modernization, the organization adds another chapter to its legacy of transforming affordable housing in Boston.
