$18.5M project offers mixed-rate apartments at former Garfield synagogue, school

The former B’Nai Israel Synagogue and School in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood now houses a mixed-rate housing development.

Boston-based Beacon Communities completed a $18.5 million project at the South Negley Avenue site.

The 45-unit development, called The Carina, includes 38 apartments for people making between 20% and 60% of the area median income, according to Beacon spokeswoman Erin Sogal. One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are included, she said.

Prices for the affordable housing units range from $355 a month for a one-bedroom apartment rented to someone making 20% of the area median income (or about $13,280 for a person and up to $22,000 for a family of six) to $1,479 a month for a three-bedroom unit rented to someone making 60% of the area median income (or $39,840 for a person and up to $66,000 for a family of six).

The costs include utilities.

“Partnering with the neighborhood on this exciting redevelopment of an iconic Pittsburgh landmark is part of what makes The Carina such a vibrant property,” Michael Polite, senior vice president at Beacon, said.

The building, which initially served as the B’Nai Israel Synagogue, was built in 1923 and named a historic landmark in 1979. It closed as a synagogue in 1995, and then housed the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School.

The Carina redevelopment was part of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh’s Project Based Voucher/Gap Financing Program, which aims to encourage developers and community-based organizations to invest in their communities by preserving and developing affordable housing.

Since December 2015, the program has provided more than $17 million in gap financing loans, resulting in the development or preservation of over 660 housing units.

“The Carina exemplifies the types of projects we envisioned when we developed the program,” HACP Executive Director Caster Binion said. “Not only does it create additional affordable housing, but we are also restoring a historic asset in an environmentally friendly way.”

The large stone rotunda that served as a sanctuary when the building was a synagogue is set to be used as a collaborative, multi-use space focused on performing arts and community gatherings and events, according to Beacon.

Our Project-Based Voucher/Gap Financing Program continues to bring on new affordable housing units across the city, including 13 new PBV units at The Carina -- a first class, sustainable adaptive reuse of the of the former B’Nai Israel Synagogue & School located in Garfield. pic.twitter.com/t8afdZe9Mx

— HACP (@HACP1) June 2, 2023

The Rotunda Collaborative and the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation are working to revitalize the structure and celebrate its history, Beacon officials said. The collaborative commissioned Pittsburgh artist Ebtehal Badawi to work on the project, and she has invited local schoolchildren to participate in the art-making.

The Carina was named for the Eta Carina, the brightest star in the Milky Way. Beacon officials said the name comes because they hope The Carina will serve as a bright star in the Garfield neighborhood with housing and space for the arts.