WinnResidential Tops "Affordable 100" Housing

Placing first on the NAHMA ranking and recognizing the 46,231 quality affordable homes in 2012.

WinnResidential Tops "Affordable 100" Housing Underscoring its commitment to safe and affordable multi-family housing, WinnResidential has been elevated to first place on the National Affordable Housing Management Association’s “Affordable 100” list. This ranking recognizes the quantity of federally subsidized existing homes with WinnResidential taking the lead at 46, 231 quality homes provided in 2012.

WinnResidential had ranked third on the “Affordable 100” in 2011. Since then, the company has increased its efforts to meet the growing need for more low and middle-income affordable rental housing.

According to Bill Wollinger, WinnResidential President and COO, “The goal of WinnCompanies is to exceed expectations and deliver excellent results to the clients and residents we serve. This ranking is a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of all of the people at Winn.”

Oliver Lofts earns 2012 LEED Platinum Certification

WinnDevelopment's Boston apartment community recognized nationally with LEED Platinum Certification by the United States Green Building Council for its achievement in green building and design.

As recently reported by New England Real Estate Journal, WinnDevelopment’s apartment community, Oliver Lofts, located at 166 Terrace Street in Boston, was recognized nationally with LEED Platinum Certification by the United States Green Building Council for achievement in green building and design.

The Platinum rating, awarded through the LEED for Homes program, is the highest rating available from USGBC. LEED-certified properties complete a technically rigorous process that often includes a home energy (HERS) rating and onsite inspections to verify that the property is built to be energy and water efficient, environmentally sound, and a healthier place to live. Oliver Lofts is the only midrise, multi-family building in Boston to earn Platinum distinction, and one of only 2 historic mid-rise buildings in the entire country to achieve LEED Platinum certification after being converted into mixed-income housing.

“Green living and sustainability are hallmarks of WinnDevelopment’s projects,” said Gilbert Winn, Managing Principal of WinnCompanies. “Oliver Lofts are a perfect example of our company’s ongoing commitment to green building practices and historic preservation, and we are thrilled to provide residents with the highest quality apartments which also positively impact the environment.”

Oliver Lofts, the historic 19th century Boston buildings formerly known as Pickle-Ditson, were recently renovated by WinnDevelopment after 30 years of vacancy. The mixed-income housing community consists of 62 apartments, located in the two connecting historic mill buildings in Boston’s Mission Hill. During construction approximately 100 jobs were created, of which 50% of the hours were filled by City of Boston residents.

“The Patrick-Murray Administration is committed to supporting developments like Oliver Lofts that set the standard for sustainability,” said Department of Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein. “I congratulate WinnDevelopment on their work and commend them for their dedication to sustainability.”

2012 NAHMA Vanguard Award

Honoring major rehabilitation of existing rental community - Castle Square, Boston, MA.

The National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) has selected Winn’s Castle Square in Boston, as the winner of this year’s Vanguard Award for “Major Rehabilitation of an Existing Rental Housing Community.”

The Vanguard Awards recognize newly developed or significantly rehabbed affordable multi-family housing communities that showcase quality design and financing. This honor demonstrates that quality affordable housing is available across the United States and highlights the private-public partnerships required to develop such communities in today’s affordable housing market. Moreover, it encourages the sharing of ideas, unique design concepts and inventive financing to promote creative development within the industry.

Castle Square is located in the lively and diverse South End of Boston and owned in a collaborative partnership by WinnCompanies and the nonprofit Castle Square Tenant’s Organization (CSTO). Originally constructed in the 1960s, Castle Square is a self-contained 11-acre site covering one large city block, and is comprised of four mid-rise buildings, containing 192 units and 19 garden-style buildings with 308 units. The property includes 27,000 square feet of retail frontage and two nonresidential buildings containing commercial and community space.

In 2008, WinnCompanies and CSTO decided to undertake a major renovation to modernize Castle Square, by making it energy efficient. Known as a ‘Deep Energy Retrofit', the project showcases state-of-the-art building science and will yield energy savings of as much as 72 percent, considerably shrinking the overall carbon footprint of the property. From November 2008 through April 2012, each of the four seven-story mid-rise buildings was wrapped in a super-insulated shell. This both updated the property's appearance and cut energy usage significantly. A new insulated reflective roof, high efficiency windows and extensive air sealing increased the insulation value by a factor of 10. For more information on the deep energy retrofit visit: www.castledeepenergy.com

2012 Top RCI Project

WinnResidential Military Housing Services' North Haven Communities awarded by Professional Housing Management Association as the "2011 Top RCI (Residential Communities Initiative) Project".

In partnership with the U.S. Army, WinnResidential Military Housing Services' North Haven Communities operate more than 1,800 homes at Fort Wainwright and Fort Greely in Alaska. Continuously striving to enhance the quality of residents' housing and daily experiences, North Haven has been recognized by the Professional Housing Management Association as the “2011 Top RCI (Residential Communities Initiative) Project.” RCI is dedicated to solving the Army’s family housing challenges and its vast program is comprised of over 85,000 homes, totaling 98% of U.S. Army family housing.

Since its launch in April 2009, North Haven has made significant improvements to its residents' lives and noteworthy contributions to the local community. As illustrated by high marks across the board -- for residents' satisfaction, occupancy, maintenance, fiscal management, safety, construction and renovation, environmental sustainability and community partnerships -- North Haven has demonstrated true, effective leadership in creating appealing neighborhoods within privatized multi-family housing.

As a team that truly understands, appreciates and embraces the military culture, North Haven works endlessly to ensure a smooth transition to Alaska and to guide residents through their housing journey. This is achieved through opportunities both on and off the installation. For example, community sponsorships such as the Yukon Quest (a 1,000 mile sled dog race through Alaska and Canada) and Creamer’s Field (a waterfowl refuge preserve in Fairbanks), allow residents to learn about the local culture, history and ecosystem. Fun and exciting outings such as NHC Day at the Ballpark with the Alaska Goldpanners semi-pro baseball team, Military Appreciation Day at Pioneer Park and Ice Dogs Hockey provide distinctive Alaskan experiences.

“This is very exciting. Exciting and humbling,” said Chris Anderson, Deputy Project Manager who accepted the RCI award on behalf of North Haven. “Our team comes to work every day for one reason; to take care of our residents. Our residents live a tough life up here. It’s cold, it’s dark, they are worried about a part of their family that is deployed down range; it’s just plain hard. Our team does everything it can to make life as pleasant and easy as possible. RCI, plus HSO, our government partner, work alongside us to make this happen. Competing against some really great projects in our company and others and to win, that is humbling.”

2012 NAA Paragon Award

WinnCompanies wins national accolade for Lazarus Luna as Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician of the Year.

Enthusiastic, exemplary Winn employee Lazarus Luna, affectionately known as “Ali,” has been with Winn for 27 years. “I love my job as if it was my first day,” he explains with a smile. Part of the maintenance team at the Wellington Community since 1985, Ali was promoted to Maintenance Superintendent in 1993. The Wellington Community is a 180-unit, 11 building property on the south side of Worcester, Massachusetts, a depressed, crime-ridden area of the city.

Although the challenges are many, Ali has transformed the exterior of this property into a horticultural wonderland, noted by local leaders as the “oasis’’ on Main Street. His commitment to the property has reduced turnover and created a sense of pride for the community’s residents and set the standard for other properties in the neighborhood.

Recently, Ali was one of the first volunteers to participate in a home rebuild featured on the television show Extreme Home Makeover. The family in need had lost a child to bullying. Upon realizing that family members were big sports fans, Ali returned to the work site, on his own time, to deliver numerous sports memorabilia he had collected over the years. When they were presented to the family, he said, “I am just glad I could bring a smile to their faces after all they have been through.”

A genuine maintenance professional, Ali has numerous accomplishments to his credit: (1) recipient of the WinnResidential landscaping award, five years in a row, having placed 1st three of the five times, (2) earned his CAMT (National Apartment Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician) designation, (3) recipient of several unsolicited letters of praise from residents and industry professionals.

2011 NAA Education Initiative Apartment Career and Education Award

President, WinnResidential received the NAAEI's (National Apartment Association Education Initiative) 2011 Apartment Career and Education Award.

A long-time proponent of industry education, William Wollinger, President and COO of WinnResidential, received the National Apartment Association Education Initiative’s 2011 Apartment Career & Education Award. As president of the National Apartment Association Education Initiative (NAAEI), Wollinger has steered the organization from its inception and guided the development of apartment industry skills and standards. Always encouraging his employees to participate and attain industry designations, Wollinger remains a strong supporter of apartment career development. In fact, he was the first to convene his staff retreat at the National Apartment Association Education Conference & Exposition in 2004. And, Wollinger is largely responsible for WinnResidential employing the largest number of NAAEI designates in the United States.

“Education and the future of this industry are real passions for me," says Wollinger. "That's why I've worked so hard along with NAA and its leadership to help create programs such as National Apartment Careers Month and invited many of my fellow industry executives to become involved as advisors to NAAEI."

Wollinger is a past president of the Rental Housing Association of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, a past president of the Virginia Tech Residential Property Management Advisory Board and a two-time chair of the National Apartment Association Education Conference & Exposition.

2011 CTAA Property Manager of the Year

2011 Connecticut Apartment Association (CTAA) Property Manager of the Year: Andrew Lund, Property Manager of Mill Pond Village.

WinnResidential employee Andrew Lund received the Property Manager of the Year award from CTAA at the organization’s annual conference. Andrew graduated from Keene State College in New Hampshire with a degree in Business Management and a minor in Economics in 2005. After initially pursuing his interest in cars, Andrew realized his true professional calling was in real estate. He became a realtor in New Hampshire before moving to Connecticut in 2007. In 2008, Andrew joined the WinnResidential team and became an Assistant Property Manager.

Andrew has a unique gift -- the ability to connect with residents regardless of the type of community. He has managed market rate communities as well as Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) communities. A motivated, extremely hardworking individual, Andrew explains, “I really care -- equally -- about my residents and my staff.”

Since joining WinnResidential, Andrew has eagerly participated in bringing two fee-managed, high profile new client properties from mid 80% occupancy to stabilized 95% in only three months. He then took on the challenge of a lease-up and quickly brought occupancy from 0% to budgeted goals. After accomplishing these objectives, Andrew successfully tackled his next great challenge: stabilizing turnover and keeping occupancy at high levels. He has succeeded, here, too. Occupancy has not dropped below 95% at his Millpond Village property and turnover has decreased by 6% per year despite keeping pace with rising rents.

In mid 2012, Andrew was promoted to Senior Property Manager overseeing multiple assets in the CT region.

Gilbert Winn Recognized Among Top Young Business Leaders by Boston Business Journal

Gilbert (Gil) Winn, Managing Principal of WinnCompanies, has earned a place on Boston Business Journal’s prestigious “40 Under 40” list of young business leaders for 2012. Gil was recognized at the 15th annual “40 Under 40” event held October 4 at the State Room. Here, honors were awarded to young business talent across a broad array of industries. A charitable component was also part of the evening, with $17,000 raised for the March of Dimes.

Gil rose through the ranks at WinnCompanies, developing affordable multi-family housing projects, after graduating from The University of Pennsylvania in 2000. According to Gil, “My strength is in surrounding myself with great people"

2012 CAA Mark of Distinction Awards

Property Manager Tamera Richmond and Assistant Manager Khoune Sivongxay are honored with prestigious California Apartment Association (CAA) Mark of Distinction Awards.

WinnCompanies is proud to announce that two of our very own have earned Mark of Distinction awards from the Greater Fresno Division of the California Apartment Association. These awards recognize the best of the best in the rental housing industry. Tamera Richmond of Coventry Cove Apartments has been named Community Manager of the Year for 101-150 Units, and Khoune Sivongxay at The Parks at Fig Garden Apartments has been recognized as Assistant Manager of the Year.

Tamera and Khoune received certificates of recognition from dignities and elected officials, as well as a crystal vase that will be displayed at their respective properties at the 15th Annual Mark of Distinction Awards Program on November 10, 2012.

WinnResidential Wins MassHousing M/WBE Vendor Utilization Program Award for 10th Straight Year

Earning top honors as the largest producer of multi-million dollar expenditures with M/WBEs in 2012, this is the tenth straight year that WinnResidential has been honored for its commitment to using a diverse group of vendors in both its development and property management endeavors.

The MassHousing M/WBE vendor program was created to help minority and women-owned businesses benefit from the economic opportunities produced by MassHousing-financed rental housing.

Over the past ten years, Winn has awarded more than $100 million in contracts to minority and women-owned business. In 2012 alone, Winn awarded $7.7 million to minority-owned businesses and $5.6 million to women-owned businesses.

As stated by Gilbert Winn, Managing Principal of WinnDevelopment, “We understand that community revitalization and economic vitality stems from not only housing but also employment opportunities, and we are proud of our commitment to both the internal and external hiring of M/WBE firms and individuals." 

With forty seven percent of the company’s workforce as minority or female, Winn is committed to diverse hiring practices in all states in which it does business.

Castle Square Apartments earns 2012 LEED Platinum Certification