Tucson House Welcomes Residents to Newly Remodeled Apartments

Published on October 16, 2026

25 households move into renovated apartments as major rehabilitation project advances.

Just 10 months after City and State officials launched the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Tucson House, 25 households will be moving into 24 newly renovated apartments on the building's 15th floor.

The move-in marks the first milestone in the transformation of Tucson House, a historic 17-story building and longtime public housing community in the Thrive in the 05 area. The City of Tucson's Housing and Community Development Department (HCD), through El Pueblo Housing Development (EPHD), and co-developer Gorman & Company are leading the rehabilitation to preserve affordable housing and ensure Tucson House continues to serve Tucson older adults for decades to come.

"Tucson House is located in the Thrive in the '05 area, a place with deep history and meaning for our community," said Mayor Regina Romero. "This project is not just about preserving housing; it's about transforming public housing into something sustainable, dignified, and built for the future. We are grateful to the residents who have been patient with construction and who can now live in and enjoy a safe, beautiful home."

Three additional residential floors are scheduled for turnover by the end of 2026: the 13th floor with 24 apartments, the 14th floor with 24 apartments, and the 16th floor with 22 apartments. More than 25% of the rehabilitation project is complete, with overall completion scheduled for summer 2028.

Partial common-area amenities are expected to open during the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027. Planned improvements include a new laundry room and lounge, mailroom, fitness room, and community services spaces.

Modern, Accessible Homes for Older Adults

Located at 1501 N. Oracle Road, Tucson is being transformed into 358 modern, affordable apartments for adults ages 55 and older. The renovated apartments will range from studios to two-bedroom homes, approximately 464 to 975 square feet in size.

Each apartment will feature new flooring, kitchen countertops, cabinets, appliances, bathrooms, paint, lighting fixtures, and an individual heating and cooling unit. The project also includes replacement of the building's mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems.

For Tucson House residents, the renovations represent more than upgrades to an aging building. They mean a fresh start in a modernized home.

"I've lived here for four and a half years, and the building really needed this remodel," said Donald Burrow, 62, who currently works with the construction team. "The old units are still good homes, but they needed the work. The apartments upstairs are beautiful, and Gorman is doing a really good job on the renovation. I just bought a couch, and I'm so excited to move from my studio into a one-bedroom apartment. I go upstairs every day to check out the renovations, and I can't wait to move in."

"Rehabilitating Tucson House has been a complex undertaking, with significant challenges along the way," said HCD Director Ann Chanecka. "Seeing 25 households move into their newly renovated apartments is an important milestone and a testament to the collaboration between HCD and our partners. This work is about more than improving a building, it's about ensuring Tucson House residents have a safe, dignified place to call home."

Residents will also benefit from improvements to shared spaces throughout the building and grounds. Planned amenities include multipurpose spaces for resident services and programs, an exercise room, a landscaped courtyard, an updated pool area, and a modern laundry facility. The entrance lobby will incorporate original architectural elements from the historic building, while the 17th-floor community gathering space will offer panoramic views, a kitchenette, a television, and space for residents to socialize.

"Gorman & Company is thrilled to celebrate the rehabilitation of the 15th floor, the first of 17 floors within the historic Tucson House revitalization project," said Sally Schwenn, Arizona Market President for Gorman & Company. "The success of this important milestone will be evidenced by smiles of the first residents moving into their beautiful new homes!"

Investing in Tucson House and Thrive in the 05

Originally built in 1963 as private luxury apartments, the 17-story landmark eventually became an aging public housing facility operated by the City of Tucson. Deteriorating infrastructure, accessibility needs, and outdated building systems created an urgent need for comprehensive rehabilitation, particularly for the older adults and residents with mobility challenges who call Tucson House home.

In July 2023, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the City of Tucson a competitive $50 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation (CNI) grant. The grant provided seed funding for the Tucson House rehabilitation and helped advance a broader neighborhood revitalization strategy.

Working with Gorman & Company as co-developer, general contractor, and property manager, the City is also developing mixed-income housing at three additional sites. Together, these investments support the Thrive in the '05 initiative, which focuses on the 2.3-square-mile Oracle Road and Miracle Mile area.

The CNI grant has helped the City leverage more than $300 million in additional funding from public, private, and nonprofit sources to support housing and neighborhood improvements.

For approximately three years, resident services staff, HCD staff, and a relocation firm have worked with Tucson House residents to explain the rehabilitation process and coordinate temporary relocations while their apartments are renovated.

Neighborhood improvements complement the work underway at Tucson House. Residents can also look forward to improved access to the recently renovated Esquer Dog Park, where new gates have been installed to make entering the park easier. Inside Tucson House, the project team continues to collaborate with local artists on interior art installations in partnership with the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona.

Project Partners

Project partners include the City of Tucson and El Pueblo Housing Development (EPHD), the City's nonprofit housing development arm; Gorman & Company, co-developer and Choice Implementation Entity; Tucson architects Poster Mirto McDonald (PMM); the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH); U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Tucson Industrial Development Authority (IDA); the National Park Service; Arizona State Historic Preservation Office; Pima County; Fannie Mae; J.P. Morgan Chase; Hudson Housing Capital; Citi; Praxis Consulting Group; and the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona.

About El Pueblo Housing Development

El Pueblo Housing Development (EPHD) was formed for the purpose of developing stable, healthy, affordable housing and supportive services to serve residents of Tucson and Pima County. EPHD focuses on development activities related to the creation of and/or rehabilitation of existing properties for the purpose of providing affordable rental housing and affordable homeownership units.

About Gorman and Company

Gorman & Company is a national leader in community revitalization, with a focus on high-quality affordability, workforce, public, and senior housing.