Boston – Kaplan Construction recently announced that the historic rehabilitation of former mill buildings into the Residences at Riverwalk in Amesbury and the renovation and adaptive reuse of Washington Mills Building No. 1 in Lawrence received the Paul E. Tsongas Award by Preservation Massachusetts. The program recognizes and celebrates the efforts and accomplishments of individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to preserving the Commonwealth’s historic resources.
The Residences at Riverwalk include a brick mill building originally constructed in 1885 with 18 townhomes while 69 apartments are located in a 1918 wooden mill building.
Siemasko & Verbridge, Inc was the Architect for the project.
The extensive historic rehabilitation of the mill buildings into luxury townhomes and apartments required shoring or replacing 50% of the structure of both buildings and 100% of the exterior of the wooden mill. Kaplan Construction provided preconstruction and construction services for the project. Recognized for maintaining its historic character, the structures have been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.
Washington Mills Building No. 1, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Client: Architectural Heritage Foundation and Banc of America Community Development Corporation
Architect: Durkee Brown Viveiros & Werenfels
The historic Washington Mills building is located on the site of the former Bay State Mills, the earliest textile mill in Lawrence. Originally built in 1886, the renovation and adaptive reuse of the 240,000sf building included transforming a deteriorating and vacant former mill building into 155 loft-style live/work units.
The 17-month redevelopment transformed the building into flexible live/work units that help nurture small businesses and provide further stimulation to the local economy. Kaplan Construction provided construction and preconstruction services. The units range in size from 625 to 1,700sf and employ design features that showcase the building’s industrial character including nine-foot arched windows, exposed brick walls, and original wood beams and ceilings.