Lofts Planned For Worcester Lagrange St. Industrial Complex

WORCESTER, MA — A set of former industrial buildings in Worcester's Main South neighborhood would be turned into loft apartments under new plans proposed by a Boston developer.

A total of 63 affordable units would be built across the four buildings, plus a more than 5,000 square-foot commercial space and the preservation of a community farm along Oread Street, according to plans submitted by Jamaica Plain-based developer Worcester Lagrange MM LLC.

The loft project would also include the construction of new lots to accommodate about 82 vehicles, according to plans. The development will also maintain the historic nature of the buildings.

If approved, the LaGrange Mill Lofts project would be the latest in a string of redevelopments of former industrial sites across Main South.

The loft project is just south of the Junction Shop Lofts, which opened in 2015. There's a 48-unit development going up at 92 Grand St. on the site of a former contaminated lot. A new Table Talk Pies headquarters has been built at the former Crompton & Knowles site off Gardner Street.

Across the train trestle from the LaGrange site, the Boston-area developer Dalfior Development, Inc. wants to turn the former Sargent Card Clothing Factory building — also the former home of The Bridge community space — into residences.

Worcester Lagrange MM LLC's manager is Jon Rudzinski, owner of Rees-Larkin Development, which is behind multiple affordable housing projects in the region. Rees-Larkin this summer got funding to redevelop the Harper Furniture Building and Summer Street Fire Station in downtown Fitchburg into a 44-unit mixed income residential complex.

The LaGrange Mill Lofts project is set to go before the Worcester Planning Board at the next meeting scheduled for Sept. 8.