Overlook Ridge | Rowe's Quarry | Revere

[BostonUrbEx]

Overlook Ridge is the development in the former Rowe's Quarry off Salem St in Revere. The property itself is primarily in Malden. There are currently three buildings. One is Quarrystone (luxury) and the other two are Alterra (regular?).

Construction stalled out following Quarrystone's completion in 2009.

As of February, construction has started up again, with two new buildings about to be constructed, called Highlands. I believe they're also luxury.

They're also continuing work on the Salem St Connector, which will ultimately allow the removal of the Salem St interchange on Rt 1.

I also recently noticed that it appears these buildings (Alterra) are designed so that the parking garages can eventually be removed if demand is ever gone (or a centrally located parking structure is built?). Removing the garages will break the two buildings up into four buildings, leaving a little lane running between the broken up buildings. This is my impression, anyway, and I cannot confirm this to be the intent.

I have yet to hear anything of the retail components of the Overlook Ridge master plan. Supposedly, this entire project was supposed to be mixed use. But it appears to be leaning more and more towards residential with only a couple of retail spots (currently just a liquor store and a convenience store).



Also, if anyone comes across rendering of the Highlands buildings about to be built, do share immediately.

 

[Ron Newman]

Is this the place that has two fire stations right next to each other, one for Revere and the other for Malden?

 

[BostonUrbEx]

Is this the place that has two fire stations right next to each other, one for Revere and the other for Malden?

It's just one fire station building, but yes. The whole building is in Revere, with an engine from Malden and an engine from Revere in the same building. What drives me crazy is that Saugus keeps threatening to close their engine house on Essex St, not too far away, and it sends people in Saugus living down near Revere into a panic. Saugus should sell that property and have had a stake in the new Revere firehouse, with space to put the engine there. But it probably would have made too much sense.

 

[kmp1284]

They probably want to eliminate the engine company for financial reasons. Simply moving it to another location does not achieve that goal. Can't speak for Saugus specifically but in Boston your average fire company costs in excess of $1.5m per year to staff.

 

[Ron Newman]

Why is it desirable to remove the Salem Street interchange on Route 1?

 

[BostonUrbEx]

Why is it desirable to remove the Salem Street interchange on Route 1?

The ramps are too tight, there's horrible sight-lines, there's no ability to decelerate or accelerate properly, etc. It is one of the most accident-prone areas in the state. Below is the latest preferred plan, as far as I know.

 

[BostonUrbEx]

Two new buildings (blue circles) about halfway through construction.

Color coded in chronological order of construction date.

Red: Quarrystone (one residential building, two addresses)
Orange: Alterra Phase I (two residential buildings)
Yellow: Alterra Phase II (two residential buildings)
Green: The Chase (four residential buildings)
Blue: two new residential buildings
Pink: two future sites


Any office or retail component would appear to be scrapped at this point.

 

[stick n move]

Was able to find some new info about what is going to be the final stages of this project. Two of the last remaining lots, lots 13 and 14, were changed from commercial zoning to residential in 2023. This part of the site is in malden.

https://cityofmalden.legistar.com/V...649&GUID=633217D1-6E31-4DBE-99AD-2FC97D376250

Planning meeting from nov 2024, lot 13b will be 5 story mulltifamily residential with 99 units and 15 affordable. Lot 14b will be a 5 story multifamily residential with 82 units and 13 affordable.

https://www.cityofmalden.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11132024-3522

Current site:

As far as lot 15 in revere all I could find was this document from 2024 saying that 15% of the residential units constructed must be affordable.

https://files.aptuitivcdn.com/GB7r1...erlookRidgeOverlayDistrictZoningAmendment.pdf


-I feel like with a site so big and so isolated that instead of just changing the zoning from commercial to residential it would be nice to allow a small amount of commercial for a corner store type of business. This site wasnt really designed to be walkable, but its pretty isolated so having a small store people could walk to to get essentials would be nice.

 

[Smuttynose]

Was able to find some new info about what is going to be the final stages of this project. Two of the last remaining lots, lots 13 and 14, were changed from commercial zoning to residential in 2023. This part of the site is in malden.

View attachment 60188

https://cityofmalden.legistar.com/V...649&GUID=633217D1-6E31-4DBE-99AD-2FC97D376250

Planning meeting from nov 2024, lot 13b will be 5 story mulltifamily residential with 99 units and 15 affordable. Lot 14b will be a 5 story multifamily residential with 82 units and 13 affordable.

https://www.cityofmalden.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11132024-3522

Current site:
View attachment 60190


As far as lot 15 in revere all I could find was this document from 2024 saying that 15% of the residential units constructed must be affordable.

https://files.aptuitivcdn.com/GB7r1...erlookRidgeOverlayDistrictZoningAmendment.pdf


-I feel like with a site so big and so isolated that instead of just changing the zoning from commercial to residential it would be nice to allow a small amount of commercial for a corner store type of business. This site wasnt really designed to be walkable, but its pretty isolated so having a small store people could walk to to get essentials would be nice.

Agreed, short-sighted decision. This is located in a walkability/commercial desert. If you live here and want anything, like literally a cup of coffee, it requires a drive. And generally I’m happy to see housing.