In an application to the Worcester Historical Commission, Boston-based Dalfior Development, Inc. laid out retail and residential plans for the property at 300 Southbridge St. in Worcester, formerly known as The Bridge Academy and Community Center.
Dalfior’s plans include partial demolition of the historic building, which was built in 1866 and previously used as a textile manufacturing facility. The existing building is 27,200 square feet, according to the city assessor’s database, and would be converted into a 25,300-square-foot apartment building with 21 units. There would also be a retail component and off -street parking.
Dalfior obtained a recommendation for rezoning from the planning board in August, which extended the adaptive reuse overlay district allowing redevelopment.
In the spring of 2021, the previous tenants of the building, who used it as a community center for arts and youth programming, launched a fundraising campaign in an attempt to dissuade the property owner from agreeing to the redevelopment plan. The campaign raised around $750,000, but the owner – a trust managed by Benjamin Mantyla – entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Dalfior instead.
The project at 300 Southbridge St. is located across the street from a proposed 63-unit adaptive reuse residential project on Lagrange Street, and about half a mile from Polar Park stadium where several residential complexes are planned.
Dalfior is also applying for state and federal historic tax credits in connection with the redevelopment project, according to the historical commission application.Â
Most of the work proposed to the historical commission includes replacing windows and removing plaster to expose brick, while retaining the facade. The historical commission will hear the application at its Thursday meeting.
