An abandoned eight-story office building in Lakewood has been transformed into homes for low-income families.

Nonprofit developer Metro West Housing Solutions, which manages apartment communities in Lakewood and Denver, said in a press release that residents began moving into its Fifty Eight Hundred community at 5800 W. Alameda Ave. on Wednesday.

It took 18 months to turn the tower into 54 apartments. The complex also has community rooms, office suites, a fitness center, youth and adult education centers, bike storage, a rooftop deck and outdoor sculptures by artist Chris Weed. Weed’s display was made possible through a partnership with Alameda Corridor BID.

Construction of an adjacent four-story tower with 98 apartments is set to be completed by the end of the year. In all, most of the units will house residents earning 60 percent of the area median income. Other units are for those earning between 30 and 50 percent AMI.

The $36 million project was supported through public-private partnership and used more than $20 million in state and federal tax credit equity.