Manchester Launched $70 Million Housing Project
The development creates 126 affordable units in response to changing post-pandemic urban parking needs.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Remote Work
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In August 2026, NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire initiated the $70 million Apartments at Pearl & Orange project in Manchester. This development will provide 126 affordable apartments and 12 townhomes alongside a 455-space parking garage to address local housing inventory.
Why it matters
Rising construction costs and interest rates combined with underutilized parking lots forced a redesign of the site. This project replaces obsolete infrastructure to support residential density in a city where traditional commercial office demand shifted after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $70 million project delivers 126 affordable units with monthly rents between $1,100 and $1,800. This scale represents a significant expansion for the developer, which historically managed smaller-scale residential projects.
The players
NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire
A non-profit community development organization focused on housing production across southern New Hampshire.
Lansing Melbourne Group
A real estate development firm specializing in public-private partnerships and urban infrastructure projects.
Robert Tourigny
The executive leader of NeighborWorks since 2005 who has steered the organization through recent shifts in development strategy.
City of Manchester
The municipal government overseeing zoning, land-use requests, and urban redevelopment initiatives in New Hampshire.
The details
The development utilizes a modified financing structure to bridge the gap between affordable housing goals and high interest rates. Developers split the site into two distinct functional zones, placing affordable units on the Pearl Street lot while designating the Hartnett lot for market-rate residences. The addition of a 455-space parking garage repurposes land that saw significant drops in usage following the transition to remote and hybrid work models.
Timeline
1960s: Property functioned as local housing and commercial space.
1992: NeighborWorks formed as Manchester Neighborhood Housing Services.
2005: Robert Tourigny began his two-decade tenure as executive lead.
2021: The City of Manchester issued the initial request for proposals.
August 2026: The organization celebrated the early stages of the project.
Market Landscape
The project follows a pattern set by the post-COVID-19 office occupancy decline in urban centers, as municipal planners convert underused parking assets into high-density residential housing. This shift represents a departure from traditional commercial-heavy urban planning toward residential-focused downtown cores.
Business owners in downtown areas should track shifting land-use patterns as cities move away from legacy parking requirements. Consider how your long-term lease or site selection may be affected by the conversion of adjacent parking lots into dense residential housing.
The takeaway
The project highlights how operators can leverage public-private partnerships to revitalize underutilized urban land. Monitor future municipal request for proposals for similar opportunities to participate in large-scale redevelopment projects.
Further reading
Learn more about the shifting demand for downtown office and residential space in Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NH Business Review.
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