The West Newton Armory is being converted into 43 new permanently affordable intergenerational apartments. At the groundbreaking on the morning of June 9, which celebrated the beginning of the construction for the housing project, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus, State Senator Cindy Creem, and other officials posed with shovels to mark the start of this significant development.
Located at 1135-1137 Washington Street in West Newton, the property was built in 1910 and was used and managed by the Massachusetts National Guard for decades. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts determined it was no longer needed for the National Guard and sold it to the City of Newton for $1 in 2021 on the condition that it be used for affordable housing.
The developers – Metro West Collaborative Development and Civico Development – were chosen by Mayor Fuller for their design plans in late 2021. In August 2022, the two firms held an open house to present their revised design in response to public input. The firms will now oversee construction.
Housing will consist of 43 units for a diverse set of households: 15 one-bedroom, 21 two-bedroom, and seven three-bedroom units.
Aiming to be affordable, 15 apartments are reserved for households earning up to 30% of the area median income (AMI), and 28 apartments are reserved for households earning up to 60% of the AMI. According to a press release by Mayor Fuller in 2021, “A family of four earning 30% of the AMI is $40,260, while a family of four earning 60% of the area median income is $80,520.”
“Conversion of the West Newton Armory into permanently affordable housing is a model for bringing together leaders and resources to address the critical need for affordable housing in Newton. We need all types of housing, especially for families. Adding 43 new affordable homes in one project provides stable housing so that the lives of residents can flourish and enjoy all that Newton offers,” said Marva Serotkin, chair of Newton Fair and Affordable Housing Partnership, in an email to Fig City News.
The project is located near public transportation and grocery stores, making it accessible and convenient.
“In my humble opinion, there are a lot of things that make this project significant, including the re-use of a historic building and preservation of the historic headhouse, deep affordability, units appropriate for both families and seniors, enhanced accessibility features, transit-oriented, and sustainable (100% electric and built to Passive House standards),” said Caitlin Madden, Executive Director of Metro West Collaborative Development, in an email to Fig City News.
Tenants are expected to move in by late 2026.
