Baltic Plaza Apartments is a 168-unit high-rise community for seniors and residents with disabilities in Atlantic City, N.J. The vision was to complete a full-scale modernization—structurally, aesthetically and technologically—without displacing the residents. By focusing on safety, accessibility, long-term affordability and dignity, the ownership and site team worked to improve quality of life and ensure the property’s long-term sustainability.
The rehabilitation was funded using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and investment from PNC Bank, Citibank, and Standard Communities. While the project stayed close to budget, it experienced delays due to supply chain shortages and construction labor issues, which were mitigated through precise coordination and consistent progress meetings.
A significant challenge was completing the work in a fully occupied building without permanently displacing residents. The management team developed a hospitality suite strategy, utilizing 14 specific vacant units across the building to temporarily relocate residents and their belongings during construction on their floor.
Another challenge was upgrading nine new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant units, which required widening doorways, new layouts and sprinklers in closets. These units took nearly two months per household to complete. The challenges were overcome through detailed construction notes, monthly resident construction meetings, and weekly Zoom calls with ownership, contractors and architects. With limited on-site staff and turnover during construction, the property manager and assistant manager stepped into every role, including packing, coordinating, inspecting and communicating with compassion.
The modernized Baltic Plaza features nine ADA-compliant units with roll-in showers, widened access and open kitchens, LED lighting throughout the units, common areas and exterior, energy-efficient appliances including dual packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps units per apartment, Niagara Stealth toilets, Capstone faucets and shut-off values per riser for local plumbing access, commercial Kohler generator, high-efficiency water heater and trash compactor, new glass and energy-efficient windows including a community room glass wall, window safety clips, new mailboxes with package delivery compartments, ButterflyMX entry system with app-access, photo capture and real-time monitoring, community room with open kitchen, gaming tables, television and event space, fitness center, business center and mini-library and courtyard enhancements.
Staff provided packing supplies, helped residents label essential boxes and searched for misplaced medications. When streaming boxes were installed in hospitality suites, the management team helped residents install them on their smart televisions and phones and explained how to use them. Notices were distributed in English, Spanish and Korean. Additionally, the team hosted monthly construction meetings and responded to emotional needs, including grieving residents, medical accommodations and depression-related incidents.
Baltic Plaza offers weekly coffee hours and quarterly resident meetings, transportation via a 14-passenger van with a lift, resident coordinator-led programs including housekeeping inspections, wellness visits, benefits navigation, Medicaid/Medicare seminars and events, activity calendar with raffles, games and workshops, digital connectivity via free building Wi-Fi and enhanced safety via ButterflyMX and camera upgrades.
The community is within walking distance of medical offices, pharmacies and transit. Additionally, residents regularly interact with the Atlantic City Fire and Police departments through inspections, safety events, code enforcement, housing services, and local vendors and nonprofits that offer games, support, and resources on-site.
By housing nearly 200 residents in a secure, clean, dignified environment, Baltic Plaza alleviates housing instability and contributes to neighborhood revitalization for the senior and disabled populations.