Mount Pleasant Home

Mount Pleasant Home completed a $13.2 million renovation and expansion that dramatically upgraded the century-old facility and added a new 2,100-square-foot clinic, occupied by Brigham & Women’s Healthcare Center.  Started in May, 2010, this was a particularly challenging project because the three-story facility was home to forty-four frail elderly residents who would remain in the facility during renovations. Dellbrook carefully mapped out three phases of construction and logistics so caregiving at the home would not be disrupted.  Safety – and especially dust control – were a top priority throughout the project. All the home’s old systems – including a steam-heating system, circa 1925 – had to be maintained while new state-of-the-art systems were installed, tested and brought online. The home’s large commercial kitchen and its laundry facilities had to be fully functional at all times.  Mount Pleasant also demanded uninterrupted access for ambulances and critical-care supplies throughout the two years of construction. Compounding the challenge was the fact that the home is located in a busy urban area with lots of traffic, which proved a challenge for construction vehicles.  “Because we didn’t have the original blueprints, Dellbrook’s team had to trace and identify every wire, every pipe in the building,” recalls Merlin Southwick, the executive director of Mount Pleasant Home. “This was a job that required extraordinary care and precision, and that’s what we got from Dellbrook.”
Today, Mount Pleasant Home offers residents upscale amenities including large, private bathrooms and individual heating and cooling controls in every room. Linking the renovated brick structure to the addition is a stunning three-story atrium, which offers residents a four-season living and dining space filled with natural light and fresh air.

 Brigham & Women’s Health Care Center, at Mt. Pleasant Home is a primary-care practice, occupies the four-story addition. This clinic serves not only residents of the home but patients in the neighborhood, as well. Hospital officials anticipate that as many as 14,000 new patients were served by the clinic in 2014.     

Dellbrook incorporated a number of innovative green solutions into the plans for Mount Pleasant Home. Hot water is heated by solar panels on the roof, reducing energy costs. Skylights illuminate stairwells and common areas, reducing lighting costs. Storm water run-off is captured and used to irrigate the home’s woodland gardens. Dellbrook completed the project in December, 2011.   Thanks to the sustainable design features and the new energy-efficient systems, Mount Pleasant Home has qualified for Gold Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Additional Information

Architect: Next Phase Studios
Owner: Rogerson Communities
Location: Jamaica Plain, MA
Value: $13.2M