Historic Brewery Goes Condo in $20M Venture

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BOSTON-An historic brewery will be turned into 79 condominiums as part of a $20-million conversion plan. The Brewery Lofts, the product of a joint venture between the Procaccianti Group of Warwick, RI and locally based Commonwealth Ventures, LLC, will be built on less than an acre at 251 Heath St.

Demolition on a portion of the site has already started with construction expected to begin this month, Camille Jones, the project’s general manager tells GlobeSt.com. “It was the uniqueness of the building that drew us to it.” She notes that the original brewery building, constructed in 1893 to house the American Brewing Co. and used as a brewery through Prohibition, will bring an eclectic mix of old and new to the project.

Plans call for the enhancement and preservation of the building’s historic elements ranging from large period clock faces mounted at the peaks of the five-story building to Queen Anne-style details throughout the interior. High ceilings and original brickwork will be integrated into the design. And while a majority of the living space will be located in the main historic building, Jones says several new three-level buildings will be constructed to form a gated, 5,000-sf interior courtyard, complete with original cobblestones. A two-story garage also will be added as well.

“There will be flats, townhomes, walk-ups, two-level units and lofts,” says Jones, noting that a variety of floor plans will allow the 79 units to be configured in 64 different ways. Construction won’t be completed until next year and prices on the condos start in the low $300,000s and go up to the $700,000s. Eleven units are designated affordable and will be filled via lottery.