Where Natick’s multifamily housing developments are at

It seems like every time we go by one of the numerous multifamily housing developments in Natick, another floor or finishing or something-or-other has been added. We take a photo one day, it’s outdated the next. But that’s progress, right?

Given that progress, we thought it would be a good idea to do a whirlwind drive-or-walk-by of the developments and try to get a quick update from their teams. We only heard back from some of the developers, so we’ll start with those and share whatever we know about the rest based on information from the town.

(We’ll update this post if we hear back from others in the near term. Feel free to contact us to help fill in gaps at natickreport@gmail.com. Posted updated on 12/30/24 with addition info on Union Place.)

These projects, most relatively close to public transportation and amenities, will all contribute to Natick’s effort to meet the state’s threshold for affordable housing (10% of overall housing stock).

45 East Central St. (former St. Patrick’s school and convent property)

This will be a mixed-use building with 46 residential apartment units and nearly 12K sq. ft. of retail space that could become home to restaurants and other businesses (Conviser Property Group is marketing the retail space). There will be underground parking. Expected completion is June, 2025.

The current status of the building includes rough plumbing, electric, and HVAC underway, with insulation and drywall being installed, says Richard Soler, project manager for Stonegate Group.

Stonegate is also building four duplex townhomes, each with a 3- and 4-bedroom unit for sale. These are expected to be done by March, as Stonegate is on the insulation and drywall installation stage. Engel & Volkers Wellesley has been hired to premarket these units for sale.

A quarter of the Stonegate residential units will be affordable based on a state formula, and the rest of the prices will be based on what the market bears.

You can sign up at Stonegate’s website for updates on this project.

21 Summer St.

Stonegate’s also busy at 21 Summer St., where a total of 13 residential units will be offered (two of them affordable), and more than a dozen off-street parking spaces are being offered. Appliances are being installed and finishes are being applied at this multi-family development, expected to be completed in January, Stonegate’s Soler says.

This is the former Kells Brewery & Taproom  site and across from the TCAN performing arts center, and there will be about 4.8K sq. ft. of first floor commercial space that promises to bring new retail to town. NAI Parsons Commercial Group has been hired to market the retail space.

More info from Stonegate on this project.

26-34 Union Street (Union Place)

Just up the hill from a couple of the East Main Street projects is Union Place, a three-story age-restricted living apartment building that will have 40 units (studio, 1-, and 2-bedrooms). Eight of them will be affordable, and there may be a way for veterans to rent half of them. The building, which replaces three single-family homes torn down last year, is conveniently close to the Community-Senior Center.

This 40,000 sq. ft. project will include no commercial space. It does feature off-street parking.

The $13M project is slated for completion in February, 2025.

69-88 East Central (Tavern Project)

This mixed use development at the corner of East Central and Union Streets is just east of the Stonegate development at 45 East Central St.

It will feature 24 1-bedroom and six 2-bedroom apartments, with 5 units deemed affordable. The four-story complex totals nearly 39K sq. ft. and first-floor commercial and professional space, according to Natick’s Community & Economic Development department. With shared ownership at Morse Tavern, parking will be accommodated for residents and patrons.

We’ve had no luck getting an update on the project, which is clearly coming along, from property manager Atlantic Retail. They do have a brochure that shows an anticipated opening of late 2024, but that’s going to take a Christmas miracle at this point.

7-19 Washington Street (The Flats?)

This project, in between Agostino’s restaurant and the Morse Institute Library, is another one that’s zipping along after an earlier stall and change of ownership. It had been marketed as The Flats, though based on the lack of response from the website, the plans here remain murky.

The town says this project will feature 48 apartments, 10 of them affordable, across four floors. This development, too, promises first-floor retail space (6000 sq. ft. of commercial/common space). The apartments will include 40 studios and eight 2-bedroom units. The developer plans for 65 off-street parking spaces, most for residents.

We don’t have an update on expected completion.

23 Willow Street

This development, for some reason called the Residences at Parkside, is off of Rte. 27 North alongside the Cochituate Rail Trail. It’s modest in size, though touts its “luxury” features.

We’ve had no luck getting a response from the “Contact us Anytime!” form on the property’s website.

According to the town, this project will feature 8 townhouses, with one affordable. The property manager’s website describes each unit having 3 bedrooms and 2 baths across three levels, plus a garage and private deck.

We don’t have an update on expected completion.

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