About
Paying homage to Roxbury’s unique melody
Music history meets
modern living
Our name
“Flat 9” pays tribute to Roxbury’s legendary jazz heritage, where icons like Duke Ellington, Nina Simone, and Miles Davis once captivated audiences. The name, inspired by a jazz improvisation technique that adds richness to dominant chords, reflects the neighborhood’s vibrant musical history and music’s power to unite people. Rooted in Roxbury’s past as a thriving jazz corridor, Flat 9 honors its legacy while inviting the community to build a new future in harmony.
More than just a place to live
Our mission
Flat 9 is a community built on connection, equity, and the vibrant spirit of Roxbury. Comprised of three thoughtfully designed buildings, Flat 9 is housing that brings people together. With walkable streets, green spaces, and access to local businesses, arts, and culture, we strive to be a neighborhood where people from all walks of life can feel at home.
How far
we’ve come
Our history
The Whittier Street Apartments in Roxbury, originally built in the 1950s, were a public housing development with 200 units. Over time, the area faced significant challenges, including urban renewal projects that displaced many homes and businesses. Despite community resistance halting some highway projects, Whittier’s surroundings were heavily impacted, leading to its eventual decline.
In the early 2010s, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) embarked on a plan to redevelop the site. They selected the Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) as the lead developer with support from Madison Park Development Corporation. Working in phases starting in 2020, the redevelopment replaced the original public housing units with new, deeply subsidized homes and added moderate-income and market-rate housing, increasing the total units to 316. The phased approach was key to POAH’s commitment to create new housing without displacing current residents. The redevelopment also includes commercial spaces, amenities such as community rooms, a playground, and bicycle storage, as well as public art and pedestrian-friendly design.