Headshor of Victor Rodriguez. Submitted by Victor Rodriguez.
Victor Rodriguez, the President of a.m. Rodriguez Associates (AMR) believes that community development is the most important part of his company’s goals to provide housing.
“Meeting with the citizens is a priceless experience because they can help you with the whole process of development,” said Rodriguez.
AMR was founded in the 1970s by his father Anthony, an architect who has made buildings in Ohio and Pittsburgh. Victor joined his company in 2004 and took over as president in 2012.
Render of Homestead One. Photo from Victor Rodriguez.
“He’s still involved with the company but has taken a step back”, said Rodriguez. He’s heavy on design and taught me what we build for these communities are going to last a lifetime.”
AMR creates affordable housing and senior housing with sustainable techniques. All senior housing properties have their utilities paid and use cleaning products that are friendly to their immune systems.
Rodriguez says his architect Lauren Nettleton and contracting partners in SOTA Construction and pushes the envelope in green construction techniques.
“They are the greenest in Pittsburgh”, said Rodriguez. “They bring in new technologies that are affordable, keeping rents low.”
AMR creates event spaces, renovating a high school gymnasium in Mount Washington and the Joe Negri Auditorium on the grounds of Prospect High School.
They also created commercial property and affordable housing in Homestead. Homestead One on 8th Avenue, has three tenants.
“We want them to thrive in Homestead,” said Rodriguez. “The rent is low, and we give them a break on rent to start.”
While building Homestead One, Victor and his brother David established Enix Brewery. The brewery serves Spanish inspired food and has a beer garden, a music stage, with a bowling alley on the second floor.
“I wanted to start one in the 90s, but It didn’t work out,” said Rodriguez. “People expect a selection now.”
Render of Morningside Crossing. Photo from Victor Rodriguez.
AMR recognizes the demand for senior housing and always look to create innovative properties. Their newest property, Morningside Crossing plans to continue their trend.
It won the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Association award for innovation and design. Rodriguez says the award is hard to get and must show special innovative construction.
“It’s one of our most ambitious projects,” said Rodriguez. “Using our ‘Passive House’ construction technique and the focus on energy usage and air quality.”
It’s a super-insulated housing strategy that needs a little heat or air conditioning to get going. Once it reaches a preferred temperature, it stays there. Morningside Crossing also has SPECK air quality monitors that tell the seniors if it’s okay to keep their windows closed or opened.
“When the building is sealed really well, you can filter the air coming in,” said Rodriguez. “We can demonstrate that seniors are healthier when they live in the building.”
AMR’s next development is in Penn Hills. It will be a net-zero project, the first affordable housing that generates all energy in a year on-site.
“Pittsburgh is very community-oriented and neighborhood-oriented,” said Rodriguez. “We want to make it be something we all can be proud of.”
Published in LOCALpittsburgh Issue #19.