Developer Shrinks Block-Size Worcester Apartment Project

WORCESTER, MA — One of the largest proposed residential developments planned in Worcester is shrinking.

The developer behind a block-sized development along Franklin Street on Wednesday got approval from the Worcester Planning Board to reduce the size of the project by one story and from 421 units to 364.

The main reason for the change is construction costs related to a planned below-ground parking garage, representatives told the board. The developer, GoVenture Capital, has changed the plans to instead construct an external, above-ground 374-space garage at the back of the block along Arctic Street.

Plans now also call for the building to be set closer along Franklin Street with 44 two-bedroom units, 211 one-bedroom units and 109 studios. The number of studios increased from the original 64 planned.

The plans presented this week differ even further from when the project was originally submitted last February. The developer will demolish all the buildings on the block between Plastic and Arctic streets. The original plans called for the conversion of 33 and 45 Arctic St., brick warehouses that date to 1900, into residential buildings.

Even with a smaller plan in place, the Franklin-Arctic project would still be among the largest in the downtown Worcester area.

The Table Talk Lofts is planned to be 400 units, but the developer is beginning with an in initial seven-story building with about 83 units. The Cove, planned for the site of the former Lucky Dog venue, was initially set to be over 300 units and 13 stories, but developer Gold Block Real Estate LLC has downsized it to seven stories and 173 units. Plans for the under-construction SOMA development across Madison Street from Polar Park call for a seven-story, 228-unit building.

The Alta Seven Hills building — at the former Mount Caramel site — under construction along Mulberry Street will top out at about 370 units. Just across Grafton Street from the Franklin-Arctic project, developer AKROS Development is planning a nine-story, 105-unit building at the former Fairway Beef property.