North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Construction is officially underway on Sandy Ridge Station & Villas, a new affordable housing development that will bring 198 market-quality affordable apartments to Durham’s Bragtown neighborhood.
Project partners, including architecture firm Ci Design, Inc., Kelley Development Company, Bradley Development, and Progress Carolina, gathered recently to celebrate the groundbreaking of the community, which aims to expand access to quality housing for low- and moderate-income residents while strengthening the surrounding neighborhood.
Located at 835–903 Old Oxford Road, Sandy Ridge Station & Villas is the result of years of collaboration among developers, local government agencies, housing advocates, and community organizations. Key partners include the City of Durham, the Durham Housing Authority, the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA), and the Bragtown Community Association.
The development will feature a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes. All units will be affordable to households earning 70 percent or less of Durham County’s area median income, while 21 percent of the apartments will be reserved for households earning 30 percent or less of the area median income.
The project received a significant boost through Forever Home, Durham, which is providing approximately $5 million in gap financing. Sandy Ridge Station & Villas was one of four developments selected for funding through the initiative, which seeks to improve housing stability and increase affordable housing opportunities across Durham.
“At Sandy Ridge Station, the goal was to deliver market-quality affordable housing that elevates the resident experience through thoughtful design, attractive amenities and a strong sense of community,” said Chris Bauer, Principal and Mixed-Use & Residential Practice Leader at Ci Design. “We are proud to help create housing that is both attainable and indistinguishable in quality from the best multifamily developments in the region.”
Designed following community engagement, the development will include a wide range of amenities. Planned features include a playground, swimming pool and pool house, clubhouse with fitness and computer rooms, gathering spaces, an outdoor pavilion, and walking paths throughout the property.
In addition to providing affordable housing, the project emphasizes environmental sustainability. Sandy Ridge Station & Villas will meet NCHFA Energy Star efficiency requirements and is pursuing EarthCraft certification, a designation that recognizes high-performance multifamily communities that prioritize energy efficiency, water conservation, responsible resource use, and healthy indoor environments.