Chicopee, MA – Western Builders recently hosted project partners, city officials and construction team members to celebrate the topping-off of Singing Bridge Residences in Chicopee.
For the City of Chicopee, the redevelopment of the River Mills District began more than 15 years ago with a vision to transform a once-thriving industrial center into a vibrant mixed-use destination where residents can live, work, and connect to the city’s historic waterfront. At its peak, the district’s mills and factories employed more than 7,000 workers and helped establish Chicopee as a manufacturing hub for Western Massachusetts.
“Housing, we need it,” Mayor John Vieau said during the ceremony. “And repurposing a site that has been sitting dormant for decades – that to me is something very special.”
Shepard Steel completes rigging.
Hammad Graham, founder of Sydney Capital Group LLC and a UMass Amherst alumnus, was drawn back to Western Massachusetts by the opportunity to address the region’s growing housing needs while creating a project that contributes to the long-term success of the community. Brisa Builders Development LLC is also serving as owner/developer on the project. Western Builders joined the project during preconstruction and design development and now serves as construction manager.
Designed by Paul A. Castrucci Architects, the project balances contemporary residential living with respect for the site’s industrial heritage. The design embraces energy-efficient construction while creating attractive, functional homes that honor Chicopee’s past while contributing to its future.
Shepard Steel ironworkers make the final connection.
The topping-off ceremony also served as a tribute to the men and women building the project for their dedication to safety, craftsmanship, and quality. “We want to acknowledge all of our subcontractors that are part of this project,” Western Builders president, Bryan Hughes, said during the ceremony. “It’s an example of what we, and our subcontractors, can do.”
