ISSUE 4: 2019
now+next Hailed as a model for smart growth and mixeduse development in dense urban centers, Alta Union House transforms a longunderutilized site across from Framingham’s central park, situated in close proximity to the commuter rail station. With 196 units and 2,587 square feet of ground-floor retail space, this modern five-story building dramatically alters the face of this growing city by adding density, increasing walk-ability and reducing reliance on cars. TAT’s design solution for Alta Union House strikes an approachable and contextual tone, with yellow brick façade elements that echo nearby historic structures as well as bay windows and balconies that create visual interest and activity. Offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom units of up to 1,400 square feet in size, the building also has shared outdoor space split between three courtyards. Directly connected to indoor amenities, the smallest courtyard offers bistro-style seating along adjacent Howard Street. The midsized courtyard activates a strip of land between Alta Union House and a neighboring building, The Kendall.
Knitting Mill Apartments| Fall River, MA | Client: Liberty Affordable Housing, Inc. | Photographer: Joel Howe
PRESERVING HISTORY + ENLIVENING NEIGHBORHOODS Can preserving iconic buildings make a difference to the neighborhoods in which they stand?
T
he firm has proven dozens of times in the past five decades that yes, it can. The firm’s two latest historic adaptive reuse projects, Knitting Mill Apartments and Sterling Lofts, stand as proof. These historic buildings, valued by their respective communities were preserved while being put to new, vital uses that make a difference for residents and neighbors alike.
pockets. Salvaging the existing structure was not feasible, so it was removed. Gravel was used to fill the existing dirt floor crawl space and a new slab on grade was poured at the first floor,” explains project manager Scott Maenpaa.
Sterling Lofts: The challenge – designing a new use for the 125-year-old structure of the city’s storied jewelry past. In collaboration with WinnDevelopemt this historic conThe repurposing of buildings that have outlived their version artfully transforms a sprawling four-story factory, original purpose can take many originally built in 1891 by Watson, paths – from preserving archiNewell & Co, into 91 units of much “We’ve championed the tectural and cultural heritage needed mixed-income, 55+ senior transformative power of adaptive to transforming urban blight to housing. Located on an 8.8-acre reuse and historic preservation generating social change. The wooded riverfront site, the firm’s since the 1970s. By bringing result is often the revitalization of sensitive design approach involved new life and use to once-beloved surrounding businesses and resthe rehabilitation of the original buildings that had been left toration of economic confidence 139,365 square foot brick strucderelict – mills, factories, in a region. All of these apture and a series of later additions. schools, churches, hospitals – we proaches share a singular goal: Exacting preservation efforts includstrive to restore civic pride to extending the useful life of builded the restoration of more than 350 residents of the communities, ings as societal needs evolve. original window openings, many while helping to attract new ecoof which had been hidden benomic activity and development.” Kitting Mill: Listed on the Naneath siding. Other significant proj— Bob Verrier tional Register of Historic Placect work involved realigning floor es, this former steam-powered heights between the building’s varitextile mill is part of the original ous wings, and raising the first floor Wampanoag Mills complex, organized in 1871 during by nine inches to mitigate potential flooding from the adone of the most prominent periods of expansion in Fall jacent Ten Mile River. The property also includes a 5,000 River’s textile industry. At the company’s peak in 1901, square foot programming space intended for an Adult Day the Wampanoag Mills housed 90,000 spindles. Extensive Health Center for tenants and the surrounding community. masonry and structural restoration throughout the building proved challenging for this long vacant and deteriorating property. “You never know what you’re going to find. In the case of Knitting Mill only 20% of the roof structure and cornice remained intact, nearly every roof beam had to be supported structurally by sistering with new LVL beams on each side. We also discovered that the existing first Robert J. Verrier, FAIA, NCARB Scott Maenpaa floor beams were rotted inside the foundation wall beam President, Managing Principal; Founder Project Manager
GREYSTAR
To enrich the lives we touch by doing things the right way
THE COMPANY WE KEEP Working collaboratively with Greystar to further its mission of “enriching the lives we touch by doing things the right way,” TAT recently completed two significant developments with their team, Elan Union Market and Everleigh Cape Cod. Each project benefits the communities they serve by increasing the density, variety and efficiencies of their respected municipality housing stock, thereby increasing the commercial vitality of the areas. The goal is to stimulate and sustain local economies, neighborhood health and overall economic competitiveness. “We feel fortunate to have formed a strong partnership with TAT. As a global leader in the development of multifamily properties, we understand the value of good design. Trust is a precious commodity, and we have that with TAT. They are great problem solvers, effective service providers, and very adaptable - they understand our objectives and provide designs that realize a broader vision.” — Gary Kerr, Managing Director of Development, Greystar
Elan Union Market | Photographer: Andy Ryan
Elan Union Market | Photographer: Andy Ryan
Everleigh Cape Cod | Photographer: Andy Ryan
Client: Trinity Financial | Rendered: TAT
Client: Peabody Properties | Photographer: Joel Howe
Client: Fenway Center LLC | Renderer: TAT
PRAGMATIC + INVENTIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Bower is one of Boston’s most complex new projects. With so many factors at play, including its location next to a major highway and adjacency to an active commuter rail station, we faced a series of overlapping design challenges. A creative approach to site planning and open space, and to the massing of buildings, enabled our team to address concerns related to noise, vibration, and public access — creating a successful mixed-use community within this dense urban environment.
— Jay Szymanski, AIA, NCARB LEED AP, Associate
This 100-year-old former shoe factory, 98 Essex, had been vacant for more than 20 years when we began our historic renovation. After being left exposed to the elements for such a long time, the concrete structure had begun to deteriorate. Restoration involved thoughtful and unique solutions including a variety of carbon fiber reinforcing techniques. Carbon fiber strips were used to reinforce the concrete slabs and carbon fiber fabric wraps were used to stabilize columns and strengthen the aging structure. This clever application of advanced composite technology will help 98 Essex live for another century.
— Scott Daniels, AIA
Originally built in 1848, the Courthouse Lofts was expanded with three distinct additions over the next century. Converting this landmark to residential use required a thoughtful and comprehensive vision. Our team designed 117 different unit layouts, a complicated task made harder by a need to respect the existing size and location of historic windows as well as maintaining original façade finishes and interior circulation patterns. We transformed major interior spaces into attractive amenity areas that retain the Worcester County Courthouse’s iconic sense of character.
— Phil Renzi, Senior Project Manager
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5 Avalon North Andover North Andover, MA Client: AvalonBay Communities Renderer: TAT 6 The Residence at Westport Westport, CT Client: LCB Senior Living Renderer: Base3D
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Alta Union House is the first significant infill project to result from a state-led 2016 rezoning effort, representing an important shift in land use policy for Framingham. Client: Wood Partners Photographer: Joel Howe
