FEATURE
historic renovation
of different ideas—do we make standard-sized
the building, which is already 50% leased
units with larger hallways that feel more open,
after just a few months of availability. Ac-
or add square footage to the units?”
cording to WinnDevelopment’s Stein, “we’re
Ultimately the design team chose to make
leasing units at a greater-than-expected pace,
the units larger. While the hallways remain siz-
and Yarn Works is actually setting the local
able at 10 ft. in width, homes are now between
market in terms of rent. This success is a true
45- and 50-ft. deep, rather than the 30 ft. ini-
testament to the design team’s innovative ap-
tially planned. This decision enabled the inclu-
proach to unit layouts, amenity spaces, and
sion of extra rooms—such as dens and separate
the unique features only offered in a historic
kitchen and dining areas—that aren’t often
mill conversion. We’re by far the best product
found in homes at this price level, greatly in-
on the market.”
creasing their appeal and value proposition.
Now officially listed on the National Reg-
According to Maenpaa, “those extra feet and
ister of Historic Places, the $24-million Yarn
additional rooms make a huge difference in
Works project also fills an important need in
how expansive the units feel, which really
the community, providing high-quality
broadens the appeal to people who might be
housing for a range of income levels. Of its 39
downsizing from larger homes.”
affordable units, 29 are reserved for those
The final unit mix ranges from one- to
earning 60% or less of the area median in-
three-bedroom loft homes, with 29 one-bed-
come (AMI) with the remaining 10 set aside
room, 58 two-bedroom, and nine three-bed-
for those earning 30% or less of AMI.
room apartments. Out of the 96 total units, 39
The design-and-development team be-
are affordable; all feature attractive details such
lieve this project, along with several other
as wood-plank ceilings and floors, exposed
historic renovations now underway through-
brick and original metal beams, and ceilings
out the city, will act as a catalyst for a new era
that are among the tallest Maenpaa has ever
for formerly struggling neighborhoods in
seen. “Most of the mill conversions we’ve done
Fitchburg. “Historic renovations like Yarn
have a 12-ft. ceiling height,” he noted. ”This
Works really benefit their communities,” said
structure has an average of 15-ft.-high ceilings.”
Stein. “They provide quality, stable housing, and contribute to meaningful economic
SOLUTIONS AND INTERACTION
growth.”
Outside of the individual units, a primary
According to TAT’s Verrier, adding new
goal for the design-and-development team was
housing that attracts young professionals and
the creation of spaces that would encourage residents to interact with each other and that would help foster a sense of community. One of
One of the building’s most notable features is its nearly 300 8-ft. x 10-ft. windows, which flood the interior with natural light. To meet NPS standards, the design team replaced original combinations of steel sash and wood frames with new, thermally broken aluminum frames featuring historically matched muntins and divided-lite windows. Photo: Andy Ryan, courtesy TAT
the highlights is a large, 3,000-sq.-ft. common
older folks downsizing from elsewhere, and that allows current Fitchburg residents to remain in the city, will in turn help to attract and keep restaurants, retail operations, and other
room, housed in the building’s former boiler
businesses. Local leaders agree. “It’s just a mag-
house. “We tried to make this the hub or the core
to the programming goals, and required creative design
nificent building,” Fitchburg Mayor DiNatale
of the amenity space,” said Maenpaa, “with everything
solutions to activate. At the main entrance, for example,
said of Yarn Works at a public event earlier this year.
else built around it.” The 25-ft.-tall space has exposed
the entry sequence led to an interior dead space. The
“They’ve transformed that whole area, and we couldn’t
flat Pratt trusses with vertical wrought-iron tension rods
design team used an architectural insertion to transform
be happier.” CA
and 17-ft.-tall windows. Residents can take advantage of
the area, cutting a 30- x 20-ft. hole in the floor and creat-
a warming kitchen, pool tables, TV, and workspace ar-
ing a central atrium with a new stair tower.
eas, and a variety of different seating arrangements.
Original beams were kept in place to highlight the
Closer to the building’s core, the design team pro-
historic structure, and large, lantern-like chandeliers, se-
grammed amenities that didn’t require as much natural
lected by the interior designer, provide illumination and
light. Across the hall from the bright and open commu-
contribute to the sense of historic character. According
nity room, for example, a 2,000-sq.-ft. space now houses
to Maenpaa, this atrium forms a new focal point for the
a fitness center and dedicated yoga studio, whose tall
center of the buildin, and creates a venue for the sort of
ceilings create an airy feel despite the lack of windows.
incidental resident interaction that helps people get to
The building also offers an indoor bike-storage room,
know their neighbors.
complete with a small workshop area. Other spaces were configured as storage and work areas for the mainte-
IT’S HIP TO BE NEAR THE SQUARE
nance crew.
Despite provision for on-site parking, the walkable and
Some areas didn’t lend themselves quite so naturally 20
COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE
NOVEMBER 2017
transit-oriented location has become a selling point for
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The Architectural Team (TAT) WinnDevelopment City of Fitchburg
