University Place Hope IV Housing Redevelopment

Memphis, Tennessee

Ritchie Smith Associates (RSA) provided site and landscape design for the first two phases of University Place, a Hope VI project comprised of 473 mixed-income housing units. The redevelopment was planned with lower-density housing types and a safer, more attractive landscape to improve residents' living environment and to stimulate revitalization of the surrounding urban area. RSA designed the landscape of parks, playgrounds, streets, individual homes, and the community building and its swimming pool courtyard. The main park includes walking trails, seating areas, planting, and a pond with water steps and floating fountains. This park is located on a major city street and presents a positive image for the neighborhood. RSA's approach to site design and landscape features contributed to earning LEED for Neighborhood Development Certification (LEED-ND) from the USGBC – the first in Tennessee.

Architects: Architecture Inc.
Engineers: Tetra Tech