Boston – Construction is well underway on Building A of the Mary Ellen McCormack Public Housing Complex in South Boston.
Building A is the first to be constructed for WinnCompanies’ 3,300-unit mixed-income and mixed-use development. In total, the project includes 1,016 affordable housing apartments planned for the 30-acre site. The project also features the first-ever underground geothermal heating and cooling system installed by WinnCompanies and the Boston Housing Authority.
Eight new residential buildings are planned in total for phase one of the project. Building A is being built at the corner of Logan Way and the new Veterans Way. The 112,000sf structure will provide 94 apartments for low-income families currently living at the Mary Ellen McCormack community.
Construction progress
WinnDevelopment senior vice president, Andrew Colbert, is leading permitting and overseeing the construction effort. Lee Kennedy Company is serving as general contractor for the construction in a joint venture with H. J. Russell & Company. The Architectural Team is the architect, with Copley Wolff Design Group providing site design for the project.
Colbert said, “We’re pleased to report that construction of the first community in this ambitious redevelopment is moving forward on schedule. The team is working hard and we are looking forward to unveiling Building A this fall.”
Building A will feature 37 one-bedroom units, 44 two-bedroom units, 12 three-bedroom units and one four-bedroom unit. It will include a resident lounge, fitness room, children’s playroom, media room, bike storage, a dedicated mail area, and a private outdoor courtyard with grills and seating. The apartments will include luxury vinyl tile flooring, quartz countertops, and in-unit washers and dryers.
The building is scheduled for completion this fall, in the 4th quarter. Wood framing for the entire building has been completed. In addition, the air vapor barrier (AVB) has been installed on the roof, allowing electrical wiring to be run within the building. Temporary waterproofing has been installed on the roof until better weather makes permanent roofing work possible. Window installation is 85% complete, and brick facade continues to be installed. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) pipes and wires are currently being installed throughout the interior of the building. Apartments are nearly completed, framed out with walls that house the MEP systems. Upcoming work in the weeks ahead includes starting the installation of drywall, floors, cabinet, entry doors and bathroom tile.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held in June 2025.
Tom Leclerc, chief operating officer at Lee Kennedy Company, said, “Being part of the Mary Ellen McCormack redevelopment is both a responsibility and a privilege, as we recognize this first building sets the standard for quality, collaboration, and execution across all future phases. Together with our JV partner, H. J. Russell, we are focused on delivering a high-quality project while establishing trusted processes and strong partnerships that will carry forward. Just as importantly, we see this as an opportunity to create a lasting, positive impact for the community and set the tone for meaningful engagement throughout the redevelopment.”
In addition to the $62 million apartment building, construction of Building A will also feature $8 million in public infrastructure improvements designed to strengthen climate resiliency and connect the community to surrounding South Boston neighborhoods. It will include a new Veterans Park with an accessible tot lot and splash pad, two-way, separated bike lane, reconfigured public streets and associated intersections with pedestrian enhancements, new street trees, planting areas and pedestrian zones.
