Wessex Woods

Located at the corner of Brighton Avenue and Wessex Street in Portland, Maine, Wessex Woods was conceived to address a growing need for high-quality, affordable senior housing in a well-connected neighborhood.

The four-story building includes 40 thoughtfully designed one-bedroom units, all tailored to support the unique needs of senior residents. A generous mix of accessible and adaptable units promotes ease of living, while the overall unit composition balances affordability and market-rate housing, with 34 income-qualified units and 6 market-rate residences.

Sustainability and performance were central to the design. The wood-framed structure features a high-performance building envelope that exceeds code requirements for insulation and air sealing, ensuring long-term comfort and energy efficiency. Elevator and stair cores constructed from cross-laminated timber (CLT)—one of the earliest uses of this system in Maine—helped accelerate construction while incorporating renewable materials. The building is also designed to accommodate future solar installations through increased roof load capacity and pre-planned electrical infrastructure.

Beyond the building itself, Wessex Woods strengthens its urban context. Located along a transit corridor, the development encourages connectivity while offering shared community spaces and gardens that foster social engagement. Together, these elements support Portland’s broader goal of delivering sustainable, inclusive, and much-needed affordable housing.