Worcester's $90M luxury apartment complex breaks ground

Courtesy Roseland City officials and developers turn over the ceremonial first shovels of dirt at the groundbreaking Wednesday night.

Courtesy Roseland

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By Sam Bonacci

A $90-million apartment complex broke ground on Wednesday amid fanfare from local officials and developers as another piece needed to complete City Square and the redevelopment of downtown Worcester.

“We are building a new downtown neighborhood, which is very exciting,” said Craig Blais, president and CEO of Worcester Business Development Corp., at the reception after the groundbreaking. “We’ve talked for 25 to 30 years for developing a downtown community.”

The first phase of the 145 Front Street at City Square development that developer Roseland broke ground on Wednesday will feature 237 apartments, according to the company. These luxury units will start at approximately $1,600 a month for a one-bedroom unit, according to Ivan Baron, executive vice president and general counsel for Roseland. He said the first round of construction, with an approximate $60 million price tag, should be complete by November 2017.

The apartments will be a first for the city of Worcester, he said, explaining that these luxury units will feature outdoor swimming pool with a sundeck, a courtyard, a full-time concierge, a fitness center with on-demand yoga and spinning services, and a clubroom. The location will also have 12,000 square feet of retail space, said Baron. Upon final buildout, there will be 365 apartments at the location.

Local officials and developers touted the new construction as a boon for the city and the surrounding developments. Continuing momentum with City Square is important when it comes to continued investment in the city.

“We are thrilled to see the pace that construction is taking place and it adds to the sense of momentum,” City Manager Edward Augustus said.