Cinnaire Solutions Opens Aurora Place, Delivering 40 Affordable Homes to Washburn, Wisconsin

WASHBURN, Wis. — Community leaders, financing partners and residents gathered July 8, 2026, to celebrate the grand opening of Aurora Place, a newly constructed affordable housing community that adds 40 energy-efficient cottage-style homes to Washburn, Wisconsin, a city in Bayfield County.

The development was built through a partnership between Cinnaire Advancing Communities, the City of Washburn and Bayfield County, and was designed to address workforce and senior housing needs in a rural region where attainable housing options have grown increasingly scarce.

Project Overview: Cottage-Style Design in a Rural Setting

Aurora Place comprises 40 cottage-style homes and a community building. The development was designed by ISG Inc. and constructed by Borton Construction. Property management services are provided by Impact Management Group.

The project targets workforce households and seniors seeking income-achievable housing in a rural setting. Cinnaire Solutions described the development as years in the making, reflecting sustained collaboration among local government, state agencies and private financing partners.

As part of the development, Cinnaire Solutions issued a request for proposals to local and regional artists to create artwork reflecting the character of the Chequamegon Bay region. Wisconsin artist Jesse Fritsch was selected to paint murals on both the front and back of the community clubhouse.

Financing Partners and Capital Structure

Aurora Place was financed through a multi-layered partnership that included the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Wisconsin Department of Administration, Bayfield County, the City of Washburn, Associated Bank, Cinnaire and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

Specific total development costs, loan amounts and tax credit equity figures were not disclosed in connection with the grand opening.

Remarks from Leadership

Speakers at the grand opening included Kelly Westlund, Bayfield County Deputy Administrator; Mary Motiff, Mayor of the City of Washburn; Jan Lee, Chair of the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors; Elmer Moore, Jr., CEO of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA); and Christopher Laurent, President of Cinnaire Solutions.

"When reflecting on Aurora Place, I'm humbled by the power of this community," said Christopher Laurent, President of Cinnaire Solutions. "It really brings home the importance of housing everywhere — literally in every corner of our great state. Our team is grateful to execute the vision of these community leaders to provide income achievable housing not just today but well into the future. That's what true sustainable housing is rooted in — the long view and the courage to make it happen."

Sources

Cinnaire — Grand Opening of Aurora Place Brings Affordable, Energy-Efficient Homes to WI (July 9, 2026)