entering natick sign

entering natick sign

Natick Report

More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

  • Subscribe to daily email
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Eat
  • Schools
  • Summer Camp
  • Embracing diversity
  • Charities/Community
  • Arts
  • Kids
  • Business Buzz
  • Environment
  • Top 10 things to do
  • The Swellesley Report
  • COVID-19
  • Beyond Natick
  • History
  • Government
  • Support independent journalism



Natick Business Buzz: St. Patrick’s transformation moves forward; Once more around The Block; Advertising Heroes

December 9, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Our roundup of the latest Natick, Mass., business news:

St. Patrick’s transformation moves forward

Local developer Stonegate bought the property that once housed the St. Patrick’s School at 45 East Central St., in Natick back in 2015 and has been working toward converting it into a mixed-use retail and residential development since. The pandemic and other factors have dragged things out longer than wanted, but a well coordinated and well received presentation from Stonegate at the Dec. 13 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting showed how far plans have progressed. The Stonegate team is seeking a comprehensive permit.

Stonegate in February of 2018 reached a friendly 40B development agreement with the town, via the Select Board, according to real estate attorney Jim Hanrahan. Meetings since then with neighbors and town offices have helped Stonegate to further refine the project.

The well-vetted project before the ZBA was explained by a cast of team members, including those with expertise in landscaping, architecture, civil engineering, and stormwater. We heard about “materiality,” “integrated streetscape,” building “expression,” “vernacular architecture,” ingress and egress, “contextually sensitive design,” and of course, “sustainability” and native species that will provide seasonal interest. Brick, would, and metal would be among the materials used to accomplish much of this.

Stonegate project depiction

 

Stonegate Chief Operating Officer Dean Calivas, who ticked off past projects such as 13 West Central St. (former American Legion) and 11 South Main St. (Odd Fellows building), says the St. Patrick’s project goals reman similar to what they originally were. This includes a mixed-use development including market rate (i.e., expensive) and affordable (i.e., less expensive) residential units, plus space on the first floor for up to four retail tenants.

The pandemic delayed efforts to get Town Meeting approval for zoning changes from spring until fall of 2020. Attorney General and state Housing and Community Development approvals came through earlier this year.

The main 4-story building will feature 46 1-3-bedroom units and underground parking. Another eight units with 3 or 4 bedrooms will be divvied among four townhouse buildings. A quarter of the units will be affordable based on a state formula. Overall, the residential and retail space will amount to 14,320 sq. ft.

Discussion with the ZBA will continue in late January following some peer review of traffic and other plans. Stonegate’s Calivas asked if some meetings could be combined, say traffic and stormwater review, to help move this long-running project along, and the ZBA was amenable.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, and we took a big one tonight,” said ZBA Chair David Jackowitz in concluding the meeting.

 

Once around The Block

Keep up on The Block, the development at 1 South Main St., in Natick Center that will stand on the site where a fire burned down businesses in the summer of 2019.

According to The Block, this “innovative project will host a rotating mix of dynamic local art and retail, emerging brands, food and drink, when it makes its debut.”

The Block

 

The 5,342 sq. ft. development is envisioned as consisting of modular 500 sq. ft. pop-up spaces for artists and other small business owners, with a courtyard nestled inside. Construction was expected to start this year, but it’s unclear when it will really get going and eventually be ready to open.

Earlier plans for the site involved mixed use for residential and business tenants, but parking requirements put the kibosh on that.

At a Dec. 9 Design Review Board meeting developer Stuart Rothman unveiled plans for rooftop dining at the site. According to a Metrowest Daily News story on the meeting, Board members liked the idea though had questions about the materials that would be used.

natick block

 

Our advertising Heroes

The news isn’t free, and we appreciate our sponsors who support Natick Report‘s operations.

Our newest advertiser is Heroes Fitness, a Wellesley gym “where you come as you are, and do your best. Our services range from personal training, to open gym, to even virtual group classes! Heroes Fitness services aim to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.”

Heroes, Wellesley


Advertise your business on Natick Report!

Filed Under: Business

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.



Tip us off!

Please send tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com

Advertisements

Categories

  • Animals
  • Art
  • Bacon Free Library
  • Beyond Natick
  • Books
  • Boston Marathon
  • Business
  • Camps
  • Charity/Fundraising
  • Community
  • Construction
  • COVID-19
  • Education
  • Election
  • Embracing diversity
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Fashion
  • Firefighters
  • Food
  • Gardens
  • Government
  • Health
  • History
  • Holidays
  • Kids
  • Media
  • Military
  • Morse Institute Library
  • Natick Election 2022
  • Natick Historical Society
  • Natick track
  • Neighbors
  • Obituaries & remembrances
  • Outdoors
  • Parents
  • Police & crime
  • Real estate
  • Recycling Center
  • Religion
  • Restaurants
  • Schools
  • Seniors
  • Shopping
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Theater
  • Town election 2021
  • Transportation
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Vacation
  • Veterans
  • Volunteering
  • Voting
  • Weather
lion publishers
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Get our email newsletter

* indicates required

Most Read Posts

  • Our opening night visit to Natick's newest restaurant: 7 South Bottle + Kitchen
  • Dolphin successor 7 South Bottle + Kitchen opens this week in Natick Center
  • Add 1 more to list of things you can't do at Natick's Memorial track & field: Enter
  • Natick shares update on road improvements
  • Natick's Robert Dunn recognized with Myra Kraft Community MVP Award for volunteer efforts

Click image to read The Swellesley Report

The Swellesley Report

Events calendar

  1. Hungrytown outdoor summer folk concert

    June 28 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  2. Fay School admission information session

    June 28 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  3. Fay School admission information session

    July 19 @ 8:00 am - 9:00 am
  4. Fay School admission information session

    August 12 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

View All Events

Pages

  • Comment Policy
  • Natick Report corrections policy
  • Private Schools in Natick (and beyond)
  • Where to stay in Natick, Mass. (hotels, inns)
  • Natick Summer Camps (and beyond)
  • Where to eat in Natick, Mass: more that 70 dining options
  • Natick, Mass., history
  • Natick government
  • Natick No-Nos
  • Embracing diversity in Natick
  • Where to worship in Natick
  • Kid stuff (sports, clubs, activities in Natick, Mass.)
  • Contribute to Natick Report
  • Natick public schools
  • Where to sled in Natick, Mass.
  • Natick COVID-19 & vaccine news
  • Natick’s zip code & post offices
  • Natick charitable and community action groups
  • Top 10 things to do in Natick, Mass.
  • Natick Arts/Entertainment
  • About Natick Report
  • Advertise on Natick Report
  • Natick rules: Chickens yes, roosters no
  • Natick Election 2022, political candidates advertising
  • Natick election 2022—candidate interviews

© 2022 Natick Report
Site by Tech-Tamer · Login