WORCESTER, Mass. - A proposed 371-unit housing complex in Worcester is one step closer to reality.
On Wednesday night, the Worcester Planning Board approved plans by developer WP East Acquisitions, LLC to build Alta Seven Hills on the site of the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish on Mulberry Street.
The proposed complex includes one, two and three-bedroom market-rate apartment units, and amenities, including a pet spa, swimming pool, and an electric vehicle charging station.
According to Worcester's Director of Economic Development Peter Dunn, more housing supply is needed not only in Worcester, but across the state. Dunn adds that as fast as the housing units come on line, they are leased out.
"We're seeing all of these projects that have come online in the housing sector have really leased up very quickly,” Dunn said in an interview this week. “Even going back a few years ago to the 145 Front Street project. Now with the Courthouse Lofts has wrapped up, they've begun leasing and they're doing very well with the leasing activity at the Courthouse.”
“So we're very encouraged about the demand in the market and if you look statewide you know we're still in a housing crisis right now,” he added. “We're seeing prices continue to go up and we're seeing a need for more and more of the supply side and so we're hoping to contribute to the supply side of the housing market."
The 5.3-acre lot on Mulberry Street will also have 500 parking spaces to compliment the housing. Our Lady of Mount Carmel was torn down in 2019.