Westford, MA – Yule Development has selected Tocci Building Corporation to restore the historic Abbot Mill in Westford. The architect is Ganek Architects, Inc. of Carlisle. The former old woolen mill is a complex of buildings centered by the Main Mill.
Originally built in 1897 (with subsequent additions in 1899, 1903, 1908, 1910, and 1912) the mill has been a landmark of the town of Westford for 114 years. The $21 million restoration will include enhancing the exterior of the building by restoring the historic windows in the stair towers, replacement of remaining 400 windows with aluminum replica windows, masonry restoration, repointing, roof replacement, and site improvements allowing for better access and improved parking facilities.
The interior of the Main Mill will include 106 apartments, with one and two bedroom mixes. The lower level/basement areas of the building will be converted into parking garages to accommodate the tenants. By restoring and maintaining the existing patina of the building, the unique finished atmosphere will include massive windows and 14’0″ ceilings with original growth timber posts & beams throughout the apartment units. The units and corridors will also feature exposed brick exterior walls and boast superior insulation from improved insulated windows, doors and finished systems. The original and still functioning bell tower provides the signature feature for the facility.
A historic and fully working canal continues to run underneath the building. It served to help power the original mill and will now be utilized to help heat and cool the new apartments.
In addition to the Main Mill Building, there are five “out buildings” which serviced the Mill over the years:
. The Administration Building, which was built in 1923 and housed the office personnel. The Colonial Revival building will be restored and the existing attached garage will be converted into duplex townhouse units.
. The Power Station, the last building in the complex built, (in 1951), holds all of the equipment utilized to heat and power the complex. This equipment (three stories tall) will be gutted and removed and 10 new apartments will be constructed with new floors poured in place to accommodate.
. Storehouse 2 is a wooden structure that will be disassembled and reassembled on an empty lot location on the project grounds and will provide more apartment units.
. Storehouse 4, built in 1912, is a two-story brick building originally constructed for storage of wool and is connected to the Main Mill building by a bridge that spans over the drive entrance. This unique spanning structure provides one of the endearing architectural elements of the complex.
. Building 10 is a facility that will house a parking garage and apartment units.
Tocci is utilizing the latest in BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology to assist in the renovation of the Abbot Mill. Using BIM, the MEP systems throughout the mill are able to be coordinated before they are installed, leading to less problems and time wasted in the field. Through a “live” model on the job site and various images, the team is able to visualize how these systems interact with each other and the existing mill. This allows not only the ability to foresee future problems, but also the ability to see the design intent of the building while it is being constructed.
An underutilized building for the last 20 years, the Abbot Mill is ready to come back to life as exciting and excellent housing.
A signature building of New England industry, which grew with America in its time of most dramatic industrial achievement, will transform into a high end and unique living space.
The project is slated to be complete by December 2011.
