Malden + Melrose Infill and Small Developments

[DZH22]

This is in Melrose off the Rock Circuit Trail. It's definitely new as I remember there being weird/broken down stuff there before, like a water tower maybe, or a mini windmill.

IMG_0980 by David Z, on Flickr

IMG_0981 by David Z, on Flickr

 

[sm89]

Construction has started on 12-16 Essex St, Melrose. Here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZSUh8hqvWx8LXFQg8
The building was torn down a few weeks back. Will become 4-story, 24 units with ground floor retail.
It was initially going to be 14 units, but then became a 40B project!

Construction is Set to Begin for the Redevelopment of 12-16 Essex Street | Melrose MA

The City of Melrose Office of Planning and Community Development announced that the construction for the redevelopment o

www.cityofmelrose.org

 

[Winston3D]

Looks like these are the plans for the new building:

https://www.cityofmelrose.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif3451/f/pages/architectural_plans.pdf

 

[sm89]

New project just added to the Melrose development review webpage. https://www.cityofmelrose.org/offic...-529-franklin-street-site-plan-review-special

"to alter the Corinthian Hall building at 521 Franklin Street and construct an attached 5-story residential building behind the existing building."

34 units. 21 parking spaces. Keeps both existing commercial tenants in the Corinthian Hall building (but the function space itself goes). Not a huge fan of the design. Looks a bit Colorado ski resort-esque to me?

 

[stick n move]

164 Essex Street Apartments​

“Redevelopment of an underused parking lot adjacent to an MBTA Commuter Rail station with a 5-story building containing 76 apartments.”

“The City has received notice that MassHousing is reviewing an application for Site Approval for a proposed Comprehensive Permit Development for land located at 164 Essex Street.

The project proposal involves constructing a 76-unit multifamily mixed income rental development. The proposed building is 5-stories with parking under and behind the building. Nineteen of the proposed units (25%) will be affordable to households earning at or below 80% of AMI.

The City is in the process of reviewing the application materials and formulating a response to submit to MassHousing by February 20, 2024. MassHousing will review the proposed project, consider the City’s comments, and may issue a site eligibility letter at which point the applicant can apply for a Comprehensive Permit from the Melrose Zoning Board of Appeals.”

https://www.bldup.com/projects/164-essex-street-apartments

https://www.cityofmelrose.org/board...ite-approval-comprehensive-permit-application

 

[sm89]

I wonder how the proposal could change if they acquire that other parcel behind them that they refer to.

A path along the tracks to the station would also be nice here.

 

[sm89]

Some changes appear to be coming to the 521 Franklin St proposal. I really hated the initial design. Felt somewhat like a Colorado ski-resort condo vibe??
New proposal looking to be a modern mansard take. The City's website is a little difficult to follow as they just sort of haphazardly update and group things, so I think that's the direction they're headed?

Previous plan: https://www.cityofmelrose.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif3451/f/pages/arch_plan_240319_0.pdf
"Preliminary changes plan": https://www.cityofmelrose.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif3451/f/pages/521franklin_20240710_plan.pdf

 

[Smuttynose]

A few Melrose projects —

453 Franklin Ave. (21 units, retail, very transit-oriented)

12 Sylvan Street This project shows the stupidity of density caps. The good: This is a 4 unit project replacing a single-family home. The bad: These are massive 5-bedroom units w/ 2 parking spaces each. Nine 2-bedroom apartments would create more housing and less bedrooms.

12 Essex Street (24 units, retail, located across from City Hall)

 

[Stlin]

12 Sylvan Street This project shows the stupidity of density caps. The good: This is a 4 unit project replacing a single-family home. The bad: These are massive 5-bedroom units w/ 2 parking spaces each. Nine 2-bedroom apartments would create more housing and less bedrooms.

View attachment 55341

You know, I'm not necessarily annoyed about that. It's a fairly common complaint that existing "family sized" (≥3 beds) are occupied by groups of roommates, or older households and not those with children. Admittedly, 5 beds is particularly large, but I don't think it's a bad thing to expand the supply of larger units.

Relatively few families occupy the Boston region’s family-size homes

Instead, older empty-nesters and roommates cluster in condos and apartments with three bedrooms and up—the sort perfect for families with kids—a new report says.

boston.curbed.com