Holyoke, MA — WinnCompanies has officially opened Residences on Appleton, an 88-unit senior housing community created through the adaptive reuse of a long-vacant historic mill complex in downtown Holyoke. The $55.3 million project transforms three interconnected industrial buildings, some over 140 years old, into affordable, loft-style apartments for seniors ages 55 and older.
The community reached full occupancy in December, less than three months after opening. WinnDevelopment Chairman Larry Curtis emphasized the project’s significance: “This effort preserved an iconic feature of Holyoke’s proud industrial legacy, created much-needed housing for seniors who want to stay in the community they love, and provided an economic boost to the city’s downtown. We hope to begin work soon on a second phase that will deliver 75 additional apartments.”
Residences on Appleton offers four studio, 75 one-bedroom, and nine two-bedroom apartments, with units reserved for low- and moderate-income seniors. Twelve apartments are designated for households under 30% of Area Median Income (AMI), 63 for households under 60% AMI, and 13 under 80% AMI. Additional units are set aside for HUD Project-Based Voucher households and Massachusetts Department of Mental Health clients.
The project preserves key architectural features while meeting modern sustainability standards. The 19,335-square-foot complex is 100% electric, powered by the City of Holyoke’s clean hydropower system, and meets Enterprise Green Communities criteria. Apartments feature Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, low-flow water fixtures, premium insulation, and outdoor amenities include a patio and landscaped areas along the adjacent canal.
The community also includes on-site management, a fitness center, resident lounge, laundry facilities, and 109 parking spaces, all connected via a skybridge spanning nearby railroad tracks.
“The restoration and reuse of the old alpaca mill building is a very encouraging demonstration of what can be accomplished when an ambitious vision is supported by a well-crafted public-private collaboration,” said Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia. Aaron Vega, director of the city’s Office of Planning and Economic Development, added, “This project is key to our downtown revitalization efforts. Business growth, tourism, public safety, and increasing the population of Holyoke are all tied to having quality housing stock available.”
The mill complex, once the largest alpaca wool mill in the world, had been largely vacant since the 1970s and is one of Holyoke’s most prominent historic properties. The adaptive reuse focused on an 86,000-square-foot section, including Buildings 4, 5, and 6, dating from 1880 to 1905. Local residents made up 30% of construction workers, exceeding project goals.
Residences on Appleton was made possible through a public-private partnership with the Holyoke Redevelopment Authority, the City of Holyoke, local nonprofit OneHolyoke, Bank of America, MassHousing, EOHLC, BlueHub Capital, and other state and federal funding sources, including Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Historic Tax Credits.
WinnCompanies currently owns 48 historic properties totaling 5,488 apartments, including more than 4,400 affordable units, and has developed 50 historic properties totaling 5,530 units, making it one of the nation’s leading developers in preserving and transforming historic buildings into residential communities.
The successful opening of Residences on Appleton marks a milestone in Holyoke’s downtown revitalization, combining historic preservation, sustainability, and affordable senior housing.
