The Cooper Wilmington, DE / 2022

This 92 unit multifamily residential project is part of the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Wilmington, DE. Historically, Market Street functioned as Wilmington’s main thoroughfare. It is defined by a rich variety of building types and styles, representing the city’s commercial growth from the late-nineteenth through the mid-twentieth century. In the later half of the twentieth century, social strife, suburbanization, and the decentralization of the job market contributed to the city’s socioeconomic decline. As a result, many properties along Market Street sat vacant and were eventually demolished, leaving pronounced voids in the streetscape. The Cooper's mid-block infill site extends from Market Street to King Street and is a significant reinvestment in the city’s urban fabric. 

The design responds to challenges of the through-block site by creating a distinct entry sequence from each street front, ultimately leading to a verdant, mid-block courtyard. The courtyard serves as a shared community space and provides views and daylight to the dwelling units along its perimeter.