The ongoing construction of a residential community for Princeton University faculty and staff at the corner of Bayard and Cleveland lanes is not quite in the home stretch. But the complex, on the former site of the Merwick rehabilitation center and the Stanworth apartments, is well along the way toward its projected goal of fall 2016 completion.

The newly constructed, multi-story apartments that make up the Merwick side are finished and occupied. The second phase is focused on the neighboring Stanworth units, which have housed University families for more than 60 years. The compact houses are currently in the process of being taken down and rebuilt, where possible, on their original foundations. The buildings are being stripped of their bricks before being demolished, and they look a bit forlorn in their naked state.

“As best practice when the University is undertaking any construction project, we look to recycle material wherever we can,” said Kristin Appelget, the University’s director of Community and Regional Affairs. “The bricks won’t be used again on the site, but they will be recycled.”

Of the 326 residences in total, 56 are designated affordable housing COAH (Council on Affordable Housing) units, available to the public and managed for the University by Princeton Community Housing. Sixteen became available when Merwick opened, and the Stanworth site will include 40.

Torti Gallas and Partners of Maryland are the architects for the complex. Once demolition is complete, the Stanworth residences will be rebuilt as two-story townhouse-style units. “They will look like what is already on the Merwick site. They all have pitched roofs. There are one-story sections and porches that are incorporated into the design,” said Ms. Appelget. “A key element of the planning is that the streets were left where they were previously located. This, along with leaving the buildings on their original foundations, means that many mature trees on the site are not being disturbed. So the beautiful tree canopy is preserved.”

The University built the Stanworth homes in the late 1940s to house faculty and staff. The adjacent Merwick site was purchased by the University in 2010 when it was announced by Princeton Healthcare System that Merwick was moving to Plainsboro, and the old building on the site was demolished.

When the project was originally announced  back in 2012, there was concern among residents of John Street, which backs up to the site, about drainage. “There are all new stormwater systems, which was an important part of the design,” said Ms. Appelget. “We wanted to make sure that was addressed.”

Recycling materials and stormwater management are among several sustainability features of the project. An effort has also been made to knit the complex into the surrounding Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood. “There are two pedestrian and bike path connections to John Street,” Ms. Appelget said. “There are sidewalks. There is pedestrian access to the Y. And Tiger Transit will be coming to the site. Anyone, not just people who live there, can use the service. We look at this as being, because of its location, a place where individuals can choose to walk, bike or use the shuttle rather than getting into a car.”