The Louise at Western
Washington
On a storied Northwest Washington, D.C., campus that has housed seniors since 1941, The Louise at Western renews a legacy of service for a new generation of older adults. Developed by Urban Atlantic in partnership with the nonprofit owner of the historic Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home campus, the new affordable senior community delivers 93 one-bedroom apartments while restoring a full continuum of care that allows residents to age with dignity in the neighborhood they call home.
The project emerged from a moment of challenge. After a severe flood shuttered the assisted-living building on campus in 2020, the owner seized the opportunity not simply to repair what had been lost, but to reimagine the future of senior housing and care on the site. The result is a reinvigorated campus that combines new independent living apartments with the reopening of 45 assisted-living units next door, creating a seamless model that enables residents to access additional support as their needs change while remaining connected to their community.
The Louise underscores the importance of expanding affordable housing choices for older adults in an area where opportunities have historically been scarce. The development is the first new affordable senior housing community built in Ward 3, as well as the first to receive Housing Production Trust Fund support west of Rock Creek Park. These milestones address a significant need in one of Washington’s highest-opportunity neighborhoods.
Designed specifically for seniors, The Louise emphasizes independence, accessibility, wellness, and connection. Every apartment is universally accessible and includes in-home laundry, center-island kitchens, and high-efficiency systems that help keep utility costs manageable. Large windows invite natural light into open living spaces and the accessible layouts are thoughtfully designed for residents to safely age in place.
Beyond the individual homes, the building fosters social engagement and healthy aging through an array of shared spaces designed to support daily routines and meaningful connections. Residents enjoy a club room that opens to an outdoor terrace, a hobby and game room with kitchenette, a fitness studio with a dedicated yoga area, a computer center, an on-site salon, and landscaped gardens and patios that provide calm, restorative settings. Lounges on each floor create smaller gathering spaces for neighbors to connect. Planned activities and digital technology further support social engagement and wellness.
A defining feature of The Louise is its direct connection to the neighboring assisted-living residence. Through a ground-level link between the buildings, residents can access services, amenities, and higher levels of care without leaving the campus. This integrated approach lowers barriers to supportive and rehabilitative services while allowing older adults to remain in a familiar environment surrounded by established relationships and community connections.
Architect Wiencek + Associates tailored the design and materials of the development to blend with its historic surroundings and longstanding campus. At the same time, The Louise was designed to meet the Enterprise Green Communities 2020 standard, incorporating efficient HVAC systems, ENERGY STAR® appliances, LED lighting, and other sustainable features intended to promote resident health, and long-term affordability through lower operating and utility costs.
The Louise also reflects a commitment to serving seniors with diverse needs. In addition to affordable housing, the community includes permanent supportive housing apartments for older adults transitioning out of homelessness, expanding access to stable housing and supportive services for some of the District’s most vulnerable residents.
The success of the development rests on a mission-driven partnership. The nonprofit owner retains stewardship of the campus and its longstanding commitment to serving low- and moderate-income seniors, while Urban Atlantic led development efforts and WinnCompanies manages the property. Together, the partners have transformed a historic institution into a modern model for affordable aging in place—preserving the campus’s social mission, extending its impact, and ensuring that generations of seniors can continue to live with dignity, independence, and support in the heart of Northwest Washington.
