This week, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) broke ground on Phase 4 of the Transforming Western redevelopment at Western Heights, continuing one of the most significant affordable housing and community reinvestment efforts currently underway in Tennessee. Designed by Shapiro & Company Architects in partnership with Brinshore Development and KCDC, Phase 4 will introduce 47 new one- to four-bedroom homes across three residential buildings, alongside a new am

Shapiro & Company Architects approaches residential design with a simple belief: the spaces people live in shape how they feel, interact, and grow. Some projects make that more evident than others. Our work with Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes is one of those projects. Founded in 1891, the non-profit organization provides residential care for children across three campuses in Millington, Chattanooga, and Brentwood. Rather than large institutional buildings, each campus is

Affordable housing projects built through public-private partnerships face layered complexity from funding, compliance, and coordination. This article outlines where projects typically stall and how early alignment, integrated design, and continuous stakeholder coordination keep developments moving from feasibility through completion.

On a temperate afternoon walk, passing by this charming custom home might have you thinking you're in the hillsides of England. In reality, this beautiful English cottage-inspired home resides in a quiet neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee. Design Inspiration and Bespoke Materials Nearly 20 years ago, Architect Brad Shapiro came back from a trip to England with his head swirling with architectural inspiration. Inspiration and opportunity met when he returned; a custom client w

Affordable housing increasingly relies on layered financing, and projects that combine federal and local incentives demand more than conventional planning. At Second Street Flats, early coordination between design, development, and finance ensured that LIHTC and PILOT incentives worked together to support both budget and livability. Project Overview: Urban Infill with Mixed-Use Components Second Street Flats is a 64-unit multifamily development on approximately 1.5 acres in

Images are rendered using technically accurate digital scale models, with finishes, textures, and additional imagery added utilizing A.I. rendering software. Images may not completely reflect the final result of this project. Western Heights in Knoxville is part of the Transforming Western redevelopment, a major project funded through the HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative , one of the federal government’s most competitive programs for transforming aging public housing into

Affordable housing development across Tennessee continues to evolve as rising construction costs, funding competition, and policy shifts reshape the multifamily landscape. For developers pursuing Low-Income Housing Tax Credit allocations and workforce housing projects, architectural strategy plays a critical role in both competitiveness and long-term performance. Our team recently attended the 2026 Tennessee Housing Conference hosted by the Tennessee Housing Development Agenc

Residential growth across North Mississippi and the greater Memphis metropolitan area continues to accelerate, particularly in DeSoto County. As demand expands for thoughtfully planned communities that integrate housing, retail, and long-term infrastructure, mixed-use master planning has become central to sustainable regional development. We are proud to be involved in the Delta Landing development in Hernando, Mississippi, a 250-acre mixed-use community that reflects this mo

Shapiro & Company is proud to be the architect for Tillman Cove, which received the Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s (TDHA) Tennessee Best Neighborhood Stabilization Award 2023 during the Tennessee Housing Conference. The Tennessee’s Best Awards honor outstanding individuals and organizations with significant contributions to affordable housing in Tennessee. Tillman Cove features apartments, townhomes, independent senior living, and retail space that will provide 238 ne