This transit-oriented, mixed-use development is located across the street from the Beacon Hill light rail station and immediately adjacent to the historic Beacon Hill Elementary school house. Part of a larger vision for an integrated campus that expands El Centro de la Raza’s social services, the project provides 112 units of affordable family housing, micro retail space, expansion of a childcare center, a community/cultural center, program and other office space, and a central outdoor plaza that provides flexible civic gathering place for the neighborhood’s diverse cultures. SMR served as the architect of record on this project, in association with Design Architect, 7 Directions Architects/Planners, and Consulting Architect, Third Place Design Cooperative.

For its innovative design, Plaza Roberto Maestas was awarded the 2017 AIA/HUD Secretary’s Award for Creating Community Connection and the 2019 Urban Land Institute’s Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing Award.