Tenth Cavalry Apartments

Champlain Housing Trust / Evernorth

Three historic buildings at Fort Ethan Allen in Colchester, Vermont have been given a new life as affordable housing after a multi-year renovation project led by the Champlain Housing Trust and Evernorth.

The structures were built in 1904 as barracks for the “Buffalo Soldiers,” African American members of the U.S. Army’s 10th Cavalry regiment. The Army occupied the buildings until 1964, at which time they were acquired by Saint Michael’s College and used as dormitories until the mid-2010s.

Historic preservation, energy efficiency, and accessibility were the primary goals of extensive exterior renovations, which included porches, windows, and new ADA compliant rear entries. Inside, renovations focused on creating energy efficient, durable living spaces while retaining the buildings’ historic charm and character.

FFF helped facilitate multiple rounds of complex negotiations to meet local, state, and federal requirements for the publicly funded project.