Boston, MA – Nauset Construction today announced the completion of 21 apartment units at the Holmes Building in the heart of the vibrant Cambridge neighborhood of Central Square for owner, Central Square LLC. The $3.5 million fast-track project entailed converting 28,000 square feet of former office space into residences as well as interior and exterior renovations at the heavily trafficked seven-story residential/retail building. Designed by The Architectural Team (TAT), the space also includes a new gym, conference center and laundry facilities at the center of the newly constructed units.
“What made this project especially challenging was that we were working in a fully occupied building that had 24 hour retail (CVS plus Subway) and a dental office on the bottom floor,” said Nauset president Anthony Papantonis. “As with all of our projects, safety is paramount, but we also had the additional concern of seeing that our demolition and construction efforts were not disruptive to the retailers and their customers.” In addition to instituting enhanced safety procedures at the extremely busy and occupied work site, Nauset implemented “negative air machines” during the construction process that assured that dust and compromised air did not infiltrate the retail or common areas.
The 21 one-and-two bedroom units offer spacious rooms and feature well-appointed kitchens featuring high-end wood cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and stone tile floors. Living rooms boast hardwood floors and large windows with spectacular city views. The limited exterior wall perimeter and large floor plate required unique design solutions. The tall ceiling height allowed the bedrooms to be placed to the interior of these deep units with transoms that let in borrowed light from the living rooms and kitchens.
In addition to the creation of 21 new rental apartments in one of Greater Boston’s hottest residential markets, the scope of work involved the installation of new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, the removal of an existing elevator and construction of several resident amenities including the aforementioned fitness room, conference room, storage area and laundry room. Roof deck plazas were also constructed for three residential units, providing picturesque views of Cambridge. Exterior work included a complete window replacement on the second floor that met the requirements of the Cambridge Historical Commission.
“This was a well-coordinated effort on the part of Nauset Construction, TAT and the Owner’s team to work together to accommodate complex transfers of mechanical and plumbing systems while maintaining the building systems in an occupied building,” said Chris Semmelink, Project Manager for The Architectural Team.
“Our experience working in occupied settings again served us well in completing this complex project in partnership with TAT and the building manager and owner’s representative, Hunneman Management and Development,” said Papantonis.