What’s up with that hole in the ground? Updates on building projects across Newton
This list of projects is in order based on the number of units in the development.
Northland Needham Street, Upper Falls – This fall the developers plan to submit a proposal for some revisions to the project. However, the majority of the plans for the site remain the same. Under revised plans, the office space and some of the smaller residential buildings are gone.
The historic mill is becoming all residential while most of the other buildings will still have stores and restaurants on the ground floor. The amended proposal includes an increase of just 22 housing units. Fewer buildings will mean more public open space.
Although the developer is now asking for a revision to the special permit, a lot of work has already occurred on the site. Much of the underground work has been completed – removing old foundations, reinforcing a culvert under the site, prepping the water and utility infrastructure, plus undergrounding the utility wires on Needham and Oak St. They recently broke ground on the splash park which will be ready for use by spring 2025.
Complete construction plans are ready for one of the buildings so that it could be started soon after the amendment to the special permit is approved. Next up would be another new building and renovations on the old mill building.
Riverside, Auburndale – With the collapse of both the office and lab space markets, the developer has worked with the MBTA, which owns the land, to propose a project that would be developed in two phases. The first phase would be almost all residential with up to 541 apartments including 108 affordable units. The plans also include some space for retail which would allow for a few small businesses such as a coffee shop, a restaurant or a grab-and-go food store. The project will now have to go through the special permit process of the City Council for review and approval.
Northland Charlemont, Upper Falls – This 370-unit project was approved in 2023. The developer is working on getting the building permits to start the project. Construction won’t begin on this project until after some of the larger Northland project is well underway.
78 Crafts Street, Newtonville – The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approved this 40B application for 295 apartments with 59 units at 50% AMI which would mean much lower rent than market rate or even apartments at 80% AMI. Some neighbors have filed a lawsuit which could add up to 2 additional years before these affordable units will be available.
Newton Crossing (formerly Dunstan East), West Newton – After the development was approved, neighbors sued, delaying the project. With changes in the market, the project was sold to a large developer that could put up some of its own money and then get additional financing. Current work on the project is underground prep work for utilities. There will be 292 apartments including 73 affordable along with some retail space.
528 Boylston Street, Newton Centre – The Zoning Board of Appeals approved this project with 198 apartments, including 46 affordable units, after multiple changes made by the developer. A few neighbors have filed a lawsuit to change what would be built there. This will postpone the construction and availability of the affordable and market rate apartments.
777 Winchester Street, Newton Centre – Construction of the Opus Senior Living building with 174 apartments is well underway. The frame of the structure is complete, and they are beginning to install siding.
34-50 Crafts Street, Newtonville – This project had to go back to the drawing board. After the elder housing project was approved, the senior living development partner dropped out of the project. Plans are now being reworked to build apartments that are not age restricted in this location right near a commuter rail stop.
1314 Washington Street (Santander Bank Building), West Newton – A special permit was approved for 50 units. This project is on hold while decisions are pending about what to do with other adjacent properties owned by the same developer. The adjacent properties are in BU1/VC2 zoning which limits what can be done with those lots.
West Newton Armory – In 2020, Newton acquired the Armory from the state for $1 with the condition that it would be converted to affordable housing. There will be 43 units for households with an income below 60% AMI. At least 14 different sources of funds are being cobbled together to make the project work which is taking a lot of time. Construction may start in spring 2025.
1650 Washington Street, West Newton – The FamilyAid Family Navigation Center and Temporary Housing is under development at the site of a former nursing home. There will be 42 housing units along with staffing by certified case managers, service providers, and housing specialists. The majority of clients are expected to be young mothers with children under 4.
1114 Beacon Street, Four Corners – These 34 apartments including 6 affordable units are nearing completion. This project is within easy walking distance of a grocery store, a drugstore, a Dunkin Donuts and pizza as well as Cold Spring Park, Crystal Lake and two elementary schools. The Newton Highlands and Newton Centre Green Line stops are also within walking distance.
967 Washington Street, Newtonville – A special permit for 28 units was approved for this site where the former Oakley Spa is located. Neighbors sued, delaying the project. Now the three lots are for sale without mention of the special permit.
1149 Walnut Street, Newton Highlands – A special permit for 25 units was approved by the City Council; however, a neighbor’s suit extended the time and cost of this project. The original developer could no longer complete the project, so it was sold along with the special permit to another local developer. The building is now under construction.
15-21 Lexington Street, Auburndale – Permitted in 2019, this project with 24 units including 4 affordable is under construction.
41 Washington Street, Newton Corner – This project proposed 16 ownership units including 4 affordable using the 40B process. The Zoning Board of Appeals denied the permit in October 2024.
Walker Center, Auburndale – 16 units are planned for one section of this property at 136-144 Hancock Street. The City purchased another section of this property that abuts the Williams School. A Joint Advisory Planning Group has been appointed to look at options for developing that land.
283 Melrose Street /Turtle Lane, Auburndale – This project with 16 units has been stalled for many years first with a lawsuit and then again after there were defects found in the construction. The property was placed in court ordered receivership in June 2024. The receiver has hired a team of professionals to assess the status of the project and determine ways to resolve the issues. A report is expected in December 2024.
50 Jackson Street, Thompsonville – After this project with 12 condos including 2 affordable units was permitted in 2022, it was sold to another developer. Construction is underway.
386 Watertown Street, Nonantum – This project received a special permit in 2021 for 10 units. After the demolition of the existing building, the project stalled and is no longer financially viable. Sale of the lot is pending, and the buyers are looking into rezoning the lot - possibly to MU4. For now though, it is an empty space in the middle of Nonantum.
39 Herrick Road, Newton Centre – 9 condos with one affordable unit are almost complete.
106 River Street, West Newton – 9 condos with one affordable unit are under construction. The foundation has been laid.
While there are many projects in the works, not all will be completed. Some may never get built and the timeline for the larger projects is quite long. It could be into the 2030s before some of these may be ready for use. The city has been counting on these new homes as it implements long range plans for schools and other infrastructure.
As the timeframe for building new housing can be quite long, it is important to continue to look at where in Newton new homes could be built in order to meet the demand now and provide options for future generations.
Updated as of 11/2024