Crystal View Townhomes, Urbana, IL

Located on a 9 acre site close to downtown Urbana, Crystal View Townhomes is a newly constructed IHDA funded 70-unit affordable, mixed-income community that replaced a distressed 1950’s barracks style public housing development.

The new neighborhood plan contains pedestrian friendly streets with rear pocket parking designed to eliminate curb cuts and street facing garage doors typical of a number of local developments. A community building marks the entry of the neighborhood providing common space, a computer lab, gym and a play area for the residents.

Designed as a series of small buildings comprised of single families, townhomes, and four and six unit structures, the forms are rooted in the simple clean lines of Midwestern regional vernacular architecture incorporating prominent steeply pitched gable roofs, comfortable front porches, lively colors and detail variations that create the feel of an intimate small town setting.

Both the community building and residential buildings incorporate energy efficient design and green technologies including a site geothermal system, solar photovoltaic panels, native landscaping and many other energy efficient strategies.