The project to restore Globe’s former Hill Street School is proceeding apace under developer Gorman & Company. Last week the Silver Belt was able to tour the historic building as well as a newly constructed building next to it, which combined will provide 64 units of affordable housing.

Peter Meyer, Gorman & Company’s lead architect for Arizona, who led the tour, said the project was about 70% finished; its target completion date was the end of October 2024. When work is done, the historic building will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Meyer said most of these will be one-bedrooms (there is one three-bedroom, on the top floor).

The old school’s gymnasium will be converted into a community room, and the place will also feature a fitness center and an indoor walking path. Meyer said Gorman & Company is also working to preserve the interior murals, either in place or as reproduced artwork; to that end, each of the murals has been photographed. The wood floor in the three-bedroom unit will also be restored. An elevator shaft is in place, but Meyer said the elevator itself will be one of the last pieces added.

One of the old school’s features is its higher ceilings, which the new building will also offer. Part of Gorman & Company’s vision, Meyer said, was to “celebrate the verticalness” of the structure.

Plans for the exterior include a small courtyard with trees and seating, along with a flagpole and a placard recounting Hill Street School’s history.

“The bones were there,” Meyer said of the onetime school. “It was a sound, strong building.”

In addition to the design and restoration, Gorman & Company will be responsible for managing the complex after completion. “It’s not just about building housing,” said Meyer. “It’s about managing it and making it a wonderful place to live.”