Two new affordable apartment units have been built in the Oak Bluffs Noyes building on the corner of Pennacook and Circuit avenues.

The historic town-owned building was once home to the town library and most recently Conroy Apothecary, which closed its doors after 10 years in 2019. Unable to find a new business for the space, the town voted to reserve it for affordable housing rentals.

Renovations began last September and were funded by a state grant and the Oak Bluffs municipal housing trust. They were designed by Island architect Darran Reubens.

Mark Leonard, chair of the affordable housing committee. — Mark Alan Lovewell

Now completed, the studio and one-bedroom apartments were presented by the affordable housing committee at an open house on Sunday.

“If I lived here I would probably have to put a day bed here,” said Mr. Reubens, admiring the light shining through a series of newly installed windows.

Tenants were selected earlier this month through a housing authority lottery. Applicants making no more than $66,000 a year were eligible for the studio apartment; the one-bedroom unit was reserved for applicants making a maximum of $75,000 annually.

“I think we had about 22 applicants for the two apartments,” said Mark Leonard, chair of the affordable housing committee. “One tenant spent probably about 20 or 30 minutes looking in here with her mom. It’s really exciting.”

Tenants will be able to move into their new homes beginning May 1.

Mr. Leonard said that the committee is proud to see the Noyes building completed, and that they are looking forward to the next town project to create 12 housing units for Island veterans.