More than 60 years after it first opened as a luxury high-rise off Miracle Mile, Tucson House is undergoing a major rehabilitation aimed at preserving its legacy while transforming the aging building into a modern 55-plus community.

The change comes as Tucson House transitions from a traditional public housing program to a voucher-based system.

In June 2023, Tucson was selected as one of eight cities to receive an eight-year, $50 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant that will fund Tucson House’s transition into a 55-and-older community and develop mixed-income housing at three other sites.

The board of commissioners approved the change to allow for the financing and redevelopment of the property. The Wisconsin-based construction firm Gorman & Company is a minority owner and will oversee the property’s management once renovations are complete.

Tucson House opened in 1963 as “luxury, full service apartment-style living,” a 17-story building that offered amenities and introduced the city to resort-style living.

The apartment complex quickly became popular, hosting celebrities and being featured in Time magazine.

“It was considered the pinnacle of commercial investment along the Miracle Mile,” Gorman & Company said in a statement to Tucson Spotlight.

Occupancy began to decline in the mid-1970s, and the building eventually went into foreclosure. In 1976, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development purchased the property at auction and provided a grant to the city to acquire it. The building was converted to public housing in 1986 and transitioned to senior housing in the 1990s.

Decades later, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tucson House was also used to provide temporary shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

Now, more than 60 years after it was built, Tucson House is facing necessary repairs in most areas of the building.

“Rehabilitation is essential given the age and severe obsolescence of the units, lack of unusable community space, and the building’s need for significant repair to mechanical, plumbing, elevators, and electrical systems,” according to the statement.

Unlike many other modern construction projects, Tucson House’s residents have been a key part of the construction and planning process, with developers and city officials taking their needs and wants into account as they help shape the future of the building.

Tucson Housing and Community Development Deputy Director Johanna Hernandez said residents chose to continue living in the building during construction, switching floors as needed.

Since 2018, the city has hosted more than 100 monthly meetings, sent newsletters with regular updates, held property management classes and conducted frequent needs assessments to form design workshops for residents.

Even with all the changes ahead, Tucson House will keep its name.

“It holds a special place in the hearts of folks that are from here; it has sentimental value,” she said.

That’s why the city has chosen to rehabilitate rather than demolish.

“This structure has been and continues to be an integral part of the community, representing its long history,” Gorman & Company said in its statement.

Construction updates include new elevators and in-unit HVAC systems, and the elimination of the building’s hydronic plant.

The city also plans to replace electrical systems, install new service gear and wiring, and rebuild all plumbing systems, including water, drain, waste and vent lines from the ground up.

Fire and safety upgrades are also in the works, including a new alert system meeting current high-rise standards and a new sprinkler system.

Rooms are also being renovated and rebuilt. They will include new framing, drywall, doors, plumbing fixtures, cabinets, countertops, flooring and finishes.

Common areas are being remodeled to offer more spaces for residents, including lounges, new laundry facilities, a fitness center, flex classrooms, a mailroom and multipurpose spaces “that support community services and resident programming.”

New indoor and outdoor areas will also be added, offering views of the Catalina Mountains.

“The lobby renovation will honor the building’s history by reintroducing design elements inspired by its original 1960s and 1970s character,” said the Gorman & Company statement. “This work reflects a shared commitment to preserving the legacy of Tucson House while ensuring it meets today’s standards for safety, comfort, and long-term sustainability for residents for generations to come.”

Ruby Maldonado is a Pima Community College student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at rhmaldonado99@gmail.com.

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