FOR THE CITY OF TUCSON EL PUEBLO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

Milagro on Oracle is a 2024 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit project that creatively combines PMM’s dual commitments to affordable housing and historic preservation. The project is a partnership between the City of Tucson Department of Housing and Community Development, the City of Tucson’s non-profit development arm, El Pueblo Housing Development, and Gorman & Company. It is simply one part of the greater redevelopment strategy of the HUD Choice Neighborhoods program, Thrive in the ’05.

The project consists of the rehabilitation of two historic motels – the De Anza Motel and the Don Motel – both are “Contributing” properties to the Miracle Mile National Historic District. The project is a total of 63 residential units for lower income seniors. In the two historic motels, the structures were sensitively rehabilitated to house five studio units in the former De Anza Motel and ten 1-bedrooms, and 2-bedroom units in the former Don Motel. On the vacant property between those motels, the project constructed a new four-story building that provides 48 new shotgun-style 1-bedroom units. The new homes are single-loaded apartments, entering from a gallery walkway on the north side of the building. On the south, each unit has an approximately 100 square foot covered patio, which is shady in the summer and sunny in the winter. The site is carefully landscaped to provide multiple recreational opportunities for the senior residents. There are ample community spaces, amenity spaces, leasing offices and social service support spaces distributed throughout the site.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

Location: Tucson, AZ

Completion Year: 2024

Size: 56,200 SF, 63 units total, 48 at the new building, 15 at the rehabilitated motels

Cost: $13,490,000

Contractor (CMAR): Gorman General Contractors

Photography: Logan Havens

AWARDS:

2025 Brian Mickelsen Housing Hero Award Urban Development of the Year

2025 Award of Distinction from Arizona Forward in Buildings, Landscape, and Design: Adaptive Reuse

2025 APA HCD Division Award in the Complete Neighborhood Category

2025 Metropolitan Pima Alliance Common Ground Award