TAUNTON, Mass. — A major housing redevelopment project in Taunton received a significant boost this week as Greystar was awarded $3.8 million through the Massachusetts Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) to help transform the long-vacant Whittenton Mills site into the state’s largest modular multifamily housing development.
The funding, announced by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, will support the redevelopment of the 42-acre property at 437 Whittenton Street, where more than a dozen abandoned 19th-century mill buildings once stood.
When completed, the project will feature 390 market-rate apartments across 10 residential buildings, offering a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The development will also include 1.5 acres of public green space, a community garden, and retail space, creating a new mixed-use neighborhood while revitalizing one of Taunton’s historic industrial sites.
The project will utilize modular construction, making it the largest modular residential development in Massachusetts. Modular construction allows much of a building to be manufactured off-site before being assembled at the development location, helping improve construction efficiency while reducing project timelines.
“Greystar is honored to receive this HDIP award that acknowledges the significance of the redevelopment at Whittenton Mills and the site’s potential to drastically expand housing opportunities in the City of Taunton,” said Ryan Souls, Managing Director of Development at Greystar.
He said the state incentive recognizes the project’s role in addressing Massachusetts’ housing shortage while breathing new life into a historic property that has long been part of the Taunton community.
The Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) is designed to encourage market-rate housing development in Massachusetts’ Gateway Cities by helping offset the costs of major redevelopment and rehabilitation projects. The program aims to increase housing supply, stimulate economic development, and strengthen neighborhoods.
Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell welcomed the announcement, calling it an important investment in both the city and the Whittenton neighborhood.
“This award is an important investment in the City of Taunton and the ongoing revitalization of the Whittenton neighborhood, helping create new homes and shared spaces where residents can connect and thrive,” O’Connell said. “We are grateful to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for their support on this project through the HDIP and look forward to continued collaboration with Greystar as we grow our housing options and strengthen our community.”
Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias said the program helps bridge financing gaps for projects that can have a transformative impact on Gateway Cities.
“HDIP helps close financing gaps on projects that can be difficult to build but have enormous impact for Gateway Cities,” Matias said. “These awards will support historic rehabilitation, downtown reinvestment and hundreds of new rental homes in communities that are stepping up to produce more housing.”
The Whittenton Mills site required extensive demolition, environmental remediation, and debris removal before redevelopment could begin. A demolition ceremony marking the start of the project was held in May 2026.
Greystar expects to welcome residents to the first completed building in Spring 2027, with full completion of the development anticipated by Fall 2027.
The Taunton project adds to Greystar’s growing presence in Massachusetts. The company has developed more than 2,000 housing units statewide, including 1,905 apartments across five buildings in Everett’s Commercial Triangle and recently broke ground on a 189-unit multifamily development in Needham.
As communities across Massachusetts continue to grapple with a shortage of housing, the Whittenton Mills redevelopment is expected to provide much-needed new homes while transforming a long-vacant industrial property into a vibrant residential neighborhood.
