BRIGHTON, MA— Nonprofit senior housing developer 2Life Communities has broken ground on Solimine House, a new affordable, service-enriched housing community for older adults in Lynn, marking a major redevelopment of the former Union Hospital site.
Scheduled for completion in the fall of 2027, Solimine House will provide 150 apartments for residents aged 62 and older. All units will be affordable to households earning up to 60 percent of the area median income, with additional rental subsidies available for low- and extremely low-income seniors.
Located at 500 Lynnfield Street, the development sits adjacent to Element Care’s headquarters and its Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) center, allowing residents convenient access to comprehensive healthcare services. An enclosed walkway will directly connect the two facilities.
“This project will create a vibrant new community where Lynn’s older adults can age affordably and with dignity,” said 2Life President Lizbeth Heyer at the groundbreaking ceremony, which drew local residents, elected officials, project partners, and funders.
The project is named in honor of Mary Jane and David J. Solimine Sr., reflecting the Solimine family’s long-standing commitment to the city. Local developer and philanthropist David J. Solimine Jr. purchased the former hospital site after its closure in 2020 with the goal of returning it to community use.
Public and private funding for the project includes state and federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Massachusetts Rental Vouchers, and financial support from the City of Lynn and the Lynn Housing Authority. Of the 150 apartments, 108 will be supported by project-based rental subsidies, allowing residents to pay just 30 percent of their income toward rent.
Solimine House will feature a range of amenities and services typical of 2Life communities, including a fitness room, wellness office, multipurpose spaces, and communal lounges. The building will be designed to Passive House standards and include energy-efficient systems and on-site solar power, as well as universal design features to support independent aging.
Officials said the development represents a significant step in addressing the region’s growing need for deeply affordable senior housing while transforming an underutilized site into a community asset.
