Marlborough, MA – Universal Window and Door, a manufacturer of custom window solutions for commercial construction projects, announced it provided the historic replica windows for the conversion of the Mill 8 building at Ludlow Mills, a former mill complex.
Building 8 is being converted into 95 mixed-income apartments for adults 55 and older and a center for supportive healthcare services. The project is being developed by WinnCompanies, in partnership with property owner Westmass Area Development Corp. “The Residences at Mill 8” is the second residential phase at Ludlow Mills, following the conversion of Mill 10 into 75 senior apartments in 2017, and is expected to be ready for occupancy by summer 2024.
Universal provided replica windows for approximately 275 openings from its 400 Double Hung Series with fixed transoms, each designed to provide beautiful views of the riverwalk and maximize the amount of natural light in the units. The historically accurate aluminum replacement windows also allowed the redevelopment team to meet the stringent requirements necessary to qualify for Federal and State Historic Tax Credits from the National Park Service and Massachusetts Historical Commission, an essential component of financing the project.
The 111-year-old, 4-story, 230,000sf Mill 8 building is home to the clock tower depicted on the Town of Ludlow’s seal. Comprised of one- and two-bedroom open-layout apartment homes, Building 8 residents will have access to a fitness center, resident lounge, laundry facilities, work pods, an outdoor community space, and 147 parking spaces. The 95 apartments will cater to a wide range of incomes, offering 43 affordable units for rent at 60% and 30% of area median incomes (AMI).
The Architectural Team (TAT) serves as the architect on the project; Dellbrook|JKS is the general contractor; and Thermo Expert installed the windows. The same team converted Mill 10. Universal has a long history of working with WinnCompanies and TAT – in tandem and separately – supplying historic replica windows to award-winning mill conversion projects, including Yarn Works in Fitchburg, Loft Five50 in Lawrence, and the Junction Shop Lofts in Worcester, all of which earned awards from Preservation Massachusetts and other historical commissions.
The design and construction of Mill 8 will meet the standards of Enterprise Green Communities (EGC), an environmental certification program for affordable housing that includes milestones for water conservation, energy efficiency, healthy materials, and green operations and management.
“Universal Window is proud to continue our relationships with best-in-class historic preservation developers and architects that preserve history while providing much-needed affordable housing,” said Jim Finn, president and CEO of Universal Window and Door.
