Hollingsworth Pond Apartments

Yes. On December 19, 2023, the Braintree Town Council approved a zoning text amendment and a zoning map amendment—formally known as Orders 23-076 (1) and 23-076 (2). These amendments established several MBTA Communities Multi-Family Overlay Districts proximate to the MBTA red line and MBTA commuter rail, supporting compliance with state housing requirements. You can view the official Town Council meeting minutes and related documents here.

Yes. Under the MBTA Communities zoning requirements, multi-family housing is permitted by-right. This means that qualifying housing can be built without needing special permits or variances. Importantly, these homes cannot be age-restricted and must be designed to accommodate families with children, supporting inclusive, diverse, and family-friendly neighborhoods near public transit.

The proposed project is permitted by-right under the MBTA Communities Act, meaning it complies with the zoning requirements established for multi-family housing near public transit. The project will still undergo a thorough site plan review by the Braintree Planning Board. In addition, the Conservation Commission will review the plans to ensure alignment with environmental regulations and local conservation goals.

All documents submitted to the Town of Braintree are publicly available through the Town’s online Document Center. To view materials related to this project, please use the sidebar to navigate the following path: Planning & Community Development > Planning Board > Applications > Plain St (10) MCMOD.  Click here to be taken to the Document Center.

Under MBTA Communities zoning, the site is eligible for up to approximately 933 multi-family units by-right. The current proposal includes 752 thoughtfully designed units, well within the allowable limit. This approach balances the need for new housing with careful planning to ensure compatibility with the surrounding area and community goals.

Yes, the old factory and structures will be demolished. This demolition will bring significant benefits to the Braintree community, including the construction of energy efficient buildings, public green space, and public walking trails. The demolition and construction process also creates jobs, helping to stimulate the local economy and nearby property values will increase as well, thanks to the removal of unsightly structures. Additionally, demolition and redevelopment of the abandoned factory site will create new housing, tax base, economic development, pedestrian connectivity, efficient drainage systems, EV parking spaces, and substantial open space surrounding the public Riverwalk. These upgrades support town connectivity, making it easier for residents to get around.

Zoning regulations require that at least 30% of the site be dedicated to open space. Our proposed project significantly exceeds this requirement, offering approximately 53% open space. This generous allocation enhances the overall livability of the community by providing ample room for greenery, recreation, and relaxation.

Yes. Great care has been taken to preserve healthy, mature trees on the property—particularly those along the river—to maintain the site’s natural character. In addition to these preservation efforts, the project includes plans to plant new trees throughout the site. This commitment reflects our goal of enhancing the landscape and creating a greener, more inviting environment for residents and the surrounding community.

While our landscape design is still in the early stages, a key goal of the project is to enhance and complement the river’s natural beauty. We are committed to using native plant species to support local ecology and create a seamless connection with the surrounding environment. Near the river, natural meadows will be introduced to provide a gentle, organic transition from the riverbanks to the more structured, manicured landscapes surrounding the buildings. This approach not only preserves the site’s character but also promotes biodiversity and long-term sustainability.

Yes, the new riverwalk and fish ladder built by the Town are open to the public and offer a scenic, accessible space to enjoy the natural surroundings. Visitors can access the riverwalk from Plain Street, near its intersection with Hancock Street.

Yes. Once construction is complete, a new publicly accessible trail will be available on the east side of the river. This scenic pathway will connect the new Riverwalk to John Mahar Highway area, offering a welcoming and walkable link through the natural landscape.

Yes. Both the Braintree Electric Light Department and the Braintree Water Department have issued will-serve letters confirming that their systems have sufficient capacity to support the proposed project. These confirmations ensure that essential services will be reliably available to future residents with no impact on the services received by current Braintree residents.

The existing Registry of Motor Vehicles and Baystate Gym have significant vehicle trips to and from the Site, so the proposed redevelopment is expected to have a relatively modest incremental impact. Based on a traffic study, the development will generate approximately 178 additional trips during the weekday morning peak hour and just 23 additional trips during the weekday evening peak hour. In summary, this represents a minor increase in traffic relative to existing conditions and is not anticipated to materially affect traffic operations on surrounding roadways.

The traffic report can be found here.

The MBTA Communities law focuses on creating new housing and the addition of these new residences to the Town of Braintree will support the continued success of nearby retail centers. Pearl Plaza, Horizon Plaza, and Hancock Street are abundant with small businesses and large retailers, and easily accessible by foot from the project site. Instead of drawing traffic away from these commercial centers, we’re intentionally promoting traffic to them by adding attractive and safe pedestrian connectivity through our site with the use of sidewalks and walking paths.

This project is designed to deliver a wide range of community benefits that support environmental sustainability, housing inclusivity, and neighborhood connectivity. It will provide over 53% open space—well above the required 30%—and includes the preservation of healthy trees along the river, plus the planting of new trees. Native landscaping and natural meadows will enhance the site’s ecological value. The development also features safe pedestrian connections to nearby commercial centers, a publicly accessible riverwalk and fish ladder, and a future trail linking to John Mahar Highway. With 76 affordable units integrated seamlessly into the design, the project promotes inclusive housing. In addition, the redevelopment provides a substantial new tax base, economic development, annual real estate taxes, excise tax revenue, pre-construction building permit fees, and sewer connection fees. Overall, the project supports smart growth, walkability, town financial success, and a stronger connection between residents and the surrounding community.

This community will offer a wide range of thoughtfully designed amenities that cater to relaxation, recreation, productivity, and wellness. At the Clubhouse, residents can unwind at the pool which features a sundeck, views of the river, lounge seating, dining tables, and chaise loungers, or gather outdoors at the cozy lounge with grills, a fire pit, and a game yard. Indoors, the clubroom and dedicated game room provide entertainment with a streaming lounge, billiards, and arcade games. For fitness enthusiasts, the gym will include cardio equipment, functional weight training, free weights, and a stretching area. For those who work from home, or hybrid, a spacious tech lounge will offer private workstations, booths, a conference room, and 24/7 printing and coffee access. Additional conveniences include private furnished office suites for rent, a pet spa and fenced dog park, climate-controlled bike storage and repair station, and picnic area.

Other buildings will feature a serene courtyard that includes green space, hammocks, and grilling areas or a large outdoor patio with fireplace. Half of the buildings will also offer direct access to a walking path that connects around the property.

There will be 76 affordable units thoughtfully integrated throughout the project, ensuring an inclusive and balanced community. These units will feature the same high-quality layouts, finishes, and design standards as the market-rate residences, offering a consistent living experience for all residents. This approach promotes equity and cohesion, allowing everyone to enjoy the same level of comfort, style, and access to amenities regardless of income level.

A fiscal impact study projects estimated annual revenues of approximately $3,155,483. The anticipated annual costs to the town range between $1,238,856 and $1,929,912, resulting in a positive net fiscal impact estimated between $1,225,571 and $1,916,627 per year.

The fiscal impact analysis can be viewed here.

A fiscal impact study was conducted to assess the one-time fees the project will generate for water, sewer, and building permits. The analysis estimates that the project will contribute approximately $90,000 in water connection fees, $892,430 in sewer fees, and $3,080,000 in building permit fees. In total, the project is expected to generate $4,062,430 in one-time revenue for the town.

The fiscal impact analysis can be viewed here.

Special attention has been given to the color palette and architectural aesthetic of each building to ensure a visually appealing and distinctive design. The goal is to create structures that are both eye-catching and harmonious, contributing to a cohesive look across the entire project site.

Each building will feature a curated selection of colors, with the overall palette including rich, natural tones such as walnut, rich espresso, deep ocean, mountain sage, countrylane red, and cobblestone, among others. These colors are chosen to enhance visual interest while maintaining a unified theme.

A mix of post balconies and knee brace balconies will be incorporated to create architectural transitions that blend suburban charm with urban sophistication.

The renderings below illustrate elements of the proposed color scheme and design aesthetic. Please note that these visuals are preliminary and will evolve as the design process continues.