A 120-unit Portland apartment building is being upgraded for energy efficiency

PHOTO / TINA FISCHER Renovation of the Harbor Terrace apartment building at 284 Danforth St. in Portland's is slated to be completed this summer.

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By Tina Fischer

Portland Housing Development Corp. is wrapping up an extensive rehabilitation project to upgrade the 50-year-old Harbor Terrace on Danforth Street in Portland.

The eight-story building includes 120 income-restricted apartments. No additional units are being added as part of the project.

Portland Builders Inc. is managing construction. Architectural and design service are being provided by Kittery-based Adra Architecture and CWS Architecture and Interior Design, of Scarborough.

The renovation will increase energy efficiency and offer better accessibility.

Interior upgrades to the 112,000-square-foot building include modernized mechanical systems, low-flow water fixtures, and the installation of individual heat pumps, energy-efficient windows and new kitchen cabinetry and counters. New amenities will include indoor bike storage and an exercise room.

On the outside, the brick exterior is being replaced with airtight, insulated siding, and a new pedestrian plaza is being developed in front of the building with new landscaping and more lighting. A bus shelter and electric vehicle chargers are also being added.

Portland Housing Development Corp estimates that improvements will reduce the energy consumption of the building by 30%, with a 26% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Renovations started in the summer of 2023 and are targeted to be finished this coming August. Overall cost of the rehab is $28 million, financed through Maine Housing and Irvine, Calif.-based WNC Inc., according to Justin Barker, development officer with the PHDC.