New Stone Mill Lofts rewrite history with 'fossil fuel-free housing' in Lawrence

LAWRENCE — The oldest mill in the city is now one of the first all-electric apartment communities in the state.

A host of officials gathered Monday for a ribbon cutting at the Stone Mill Lofts, a $39.2 million project that transformed the 179-year-old Stone Mill into 86 units of mixed income, multifamily “fossil fuel-free housing.”

“The origin story of the city of Lawrence comes full circle today as we unveil a beautifully restored 19th century manufacturing landmark that is now fully equipped with 21st century energy-efficient building systems,” said WinnDevelopment President and Managing Partner Larry Curtis.

“Thanks to our partners, this two-year construction effort has delivered much-needed mixed-income housing for households who will help write the next chapter in the Lawrence success story,” Curtis said.

Some $2.8 million from the Merrimack Valley Renewal Fund was used for the Stone Mill Lofts redevelopment. The fund was established by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office for communities impacted by the 2018 Columbia Gas Explosion, officials said.

The development’s fossil fuel-free design is expected to use 46% less energy and emit 33 % fewer greenhouse gases than a typical gas-fired multifamily structure.

The energy efficient design, including heat pumps and energy recovery systems, will save 177 metric tons of avoided greenhouse gas emissions each year, according to project information provided by WinnDevelopment.

Stone Mill Lofts has 58 apartments for households earning up to 60% percent of area median income (AMI), 11 apartments for those earning up to 30% AMI and 17 market rate units inside the 179-year-old Stone Mill building, according to WinnDevelopment.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to all partners involved for making this vision a reality in Lawrence,” said Mayor Brian DePena.

Abbott Lawrence built the 149,220-square-foot complex between 1845 and 1848, harnessing the Merrimack River to manufacture tools, mill machinery, water turbines and millwork for the textile factories that put the Northeast at the center of America’s Industrial Revolution.

By 1853, the population had grown so much that a city was incorporated with Lawrence as its namesake.

“It’s only fitting that the Stone Mill, where workers made history over a century ago fighting for the wages they deserved, is now being repurposed to once again support working families in Lawrence,” said U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Westford.

Juana Matias, Urban Development Regional administrator, echoed similar sentiments.

“Projects like this are crucial as we work to expand access to safe, affordable housing units for every family in Massachusetts. I’m grateful for the strong public-private partnership, including significant federal and state low-income housing tax credits, that made this project possible,” she said.

To help make Stone Mill Lofts possible, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities delivered $3.1 million from the Affordable Housing Trust and Housing Stabilization Funds.

The project also benefited from more than $38 million in Federal and State Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity and Federal and State Historic Tax Credit equity.

“The city of Lawrence has a storied heritage as a community that rose to help fuel the Industrial Revolution. Today, old mills like these that once met the rising demand for jobs are seeing a rebirth as they meet our demand for more housing,” said Massachusetts Housing Secretary Ed Augustus.

“Stone Mill Lofts will provide apartments with a range of affordability that, combined with its fossil-fuel-free design, showcases the innovative housing we need more of today,” he said.

Managed by WinnResidential, Stone Mill Lofts blends one-bedroom units with family-sized apartments, offering 50 one-bedroom apartments, 28 two-bedroom, two-bath units and eight three-bedroom, two-bath units.

On-site amenities include a resident lounge and kitchen, billiards room, a fitness center with interactive equipment and a yoga nook, a children’s playroom, indoor and secure bicycle parking, resident storage lockers, work from home pods, secure package room, a historic mill exhibit room, nicely landscaped outdoor areas and a patio.

The 2.3-acre Stone Mill Lofts site is also located within walking distance of a key commuter rail line to Boston.

WinnDevelopment purchased the site in August 2021. Stone Mill Lofts is the company’s third adaptive reuse development to revive historic mills in Lawrence, following the transformation of two buildings at the former Malden Mills manufacturing site to create the award-winning LoftFive50 complex, which features 137 units of affordable housing.