CHICOPEE, Mass. — A long-vacant site along the Chicopee River is set to become a vibrant residential community, as MassHousing announced the closing of $37.3 million in affordable housing financing for the development of 105 mixed-income rental homes in Chicopee.
The new project, known as Singing Bridge Residences, is being spearheaded by a joint venture between Sydney Capital Group LLC (Syd Cap) and Brisa Builders Development LLC (Brisa).
The development will rise on a parcel once part of Chicopee’s industrial past, formerly owned by the city and located on Main Street in the River Mills area. It is a cornerstone project in the broader revitalization of the Facemate Property, a four-acre site that will also host a future sports complex, brewery, and office building.
“Singing Bridge Residences will activate a vacant site, provide new housing options, and advance climate resilience through a highly sustainable building design,” said MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay. “We are thrilled to help advance this important project.”
The new eight-story building will be fully electric and constructed to Passive House standards—an energy efficiency benchmark that drastically reduces a building’s ecological footprint. Designed by Paul A. Castrucci Architects, the project will offer sweeping views of the Chicopee River and amenities including a community kitchen and lounge, an outdoor patio, laundry facilities, and a small commercial space.
The financing structure reflects a broad coalition of public and private support. MassHousing is providing $6.8 million in permanent financing, $22.4 million in tax credit bridge financing, $7 million through its Workforce Housing Initiative, and $1 million from the Capital Magnet Fund. The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities allocated federal and state Low Income Housing Tax Credits, generating $31.6 million in equity, with Enterprise Housing Credit Investments and Dorfman Capital serving as syndicators and investors.
Additional funding includes:
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$29.4 million in construction financing from Citizens Bank
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$8.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act and Affordable Housing Trust Fund financing
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$900,000 in federal HOME and CDBG funds from the City of Chicopee
“Syd Cap is very excited to be bringing 105 new units of housing to Western Massachusetts,” said Hammad Graham, Managing Member of Sydney Capital Group. “This impactful development was many years in the making.”
Brisa Builders Development Chairperson and CEO Ericka Keller echoed the enthusiasm, noting that this is Brisa’s first new construction project outside of New York City. “Singing Bridge Residences is particularly special because it represents a new chapter for Brisa and for the Chicopee River area,” she said.
The housing will serve a wide range of income levels:
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16 units for households earning up to 30% of Area Median Income (AMI), supported by state rental vouchers
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23 units for households up to 50% AMI
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36 units for households up to 60% AMI
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30 units for households up to 80% AMI
The unit mix includes 16 studios, 21 one-bedrooms, 57 two-bedrooms, and 11 three-bedroom apartments. The site, located in the historic Chicopee Falls neighborhood, offers easy access to local highways and will feature relocated bus service directly at the building entrance, along with ample parking for vehicles and bicycles.
Western Builders will serve as general contractor, with Appleton Corporation managing the property. Construction is slated for completion by summer 2027.
