Historic School Gets New Life as Senior Housing Development

The Hill Street School has long been a staple of the Globe, Arizona, community, educating generations of students in the rural mining town for more than 80 years. But since its shuttering in 2005, the historic building sat vacant—deteriorating physically and eating up much-needed space in Globe’s very limited, 12-square-mile footprint.

Now, the school has a new lease on life—and senior citizens who once walked the halls toward algebra, gym class, or even prom can call Hill Street School home. 

Dubbed Hill Street School Apartments, the 1920s-era building has been painstakingly revitalized, marking the first major development in the downtown Globe area in decades.

“This project has brought back new life to a once-blighted, historic building,” says Globe mayor Al Gameros. “What was a deteriorating property now stands as a beautiful, purpose-driven part of our community.”

Gameros is right: Hill Street serves quite the purpose. The city of Globe has had minimal housing development over the past decade, and while three affordable housing complexes currently stand in the area, those have remained at 100% occupancy for years, offering few options for lower-income residents in need.

With 64 units, all of which are reserved for residents 55 and older and nearly 90% of which are income-restricted, Hill Street School Apartments fills that void. 

“They are the first development of their kind in Globe dedicated specifically to affordable housing for seniors,” Gameros says. 

Outside of its affordability, the $22.8 million development offers other benefits for seniors, too. The school’s original walking track has been preserved, providing a convenient, low-impact fitness option, and an on-site food bank is there to help residents with food insecurity. The building is also conveniently located in downtown Globe, putting a grocery store, senior center, pharmacy, and other services within easy walking distance.