The project is named after the African-American silver screen actor, Hattie McDaniel, who lived in a nearby neighborhood, once known as Sugar Hill. In 1949, a group of white residents initiated a legal action against McDaniel citing deed restrictions that prohibited the sale of properties to non-Caucasians. Following a legal battle, a judge ruled in favor of McDaniel and the other black homeowners, invoking the 14th Amendment as the basis for the decision. This crucial amendment safeguards individuals from being deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, and it also prohibits the state from diminishing the rights and protections afforded to citizens.

In the spirit of housing being a right, not a privilege, this development is designed to restore dignity to formerly unhoused people and give them a safe uplifting place to live. Resident amenity spaces front Harvard Boulevard and open back towards an internal courtyard. The building scale is reduced by stepping the height down next to an adjacent single-story structure and by using horizontal lap siding, a material prevalent in this neighborhood. Stairs remain open and are filled with natural light and a bright accent color to encourage their use. Units are arranged to create a lush rear yard and courtyard with a diverse mixture of gathering areas, walking paths, and activities, along with a shared community garden.