Best New Residential Development
Winner: Alta on the Row, in Worcester
Website: www.woodpartners.com
Top executive: James “Jim” Lambert, managing director of Wood Partners
Founded: 1998
Employees: 325 nationally, 39 in Massachusetts
Notable runner-up: The Revington
Just off of the west-end tip of Worcester’s bustling Shrewsbury Street stands Alta on the Row, a 370-unit luxury apartment complex that almost wasn’t.
Wood Partners, the Atlanta-based developer of the community, had been eyeing Worcester for a few years, waiting for the right opportunity to start a new build. When the site at 22 Mount Carmel Way opened up, the developer threw in its bid, but lost out to a fellow competitor.
But that deal ultimately fell through, and Wood Partners jumped at the opportunity to purchase the site, one that is unparalleled in both its scale and location, said Jim Lambert, development director for Wood Partners.
“We’re right across the street from the MBTA station. We’re a short walk to the downtown. We’re a short walk to what is now Polar Park and the other amenities down in the Canal District,” said Lambert. “We felt like it was the best site in Worcester.”
With the location secured, Wood Partners’ next challenge was to build an apartment complex to attract residents of New England’s second largest city, in a post-COVID world.
The country’s mass pivot to working from home greatly impacted the way Wood Partners designed Alta. The developer built an entire work from home area in its club room, outfitted with multiple private office rooms and a larger communal work space. The complex offers one-bedroom apartments with dens, a feature Lambert said has been especially requested to better accommodate working from home.
Separate from its plethora of amenities, which include a professionally equipped fitness center, a pool, two courtyards, grills, and a fire pit, Lambert believes it’s Alta’s welcoming and engaging environment that really attracts new residents.
“It’s more about people feeling like they’re at home,” he said.
Cultivating that kind of atmosphere comes down to property management and staff, said Lambert, management that throws events regularly and staff who care about their residents’ well being.
After completing the development and leasing up the units, Wood Partners sold the property for $157 million on Oct. 14 to a Boston investment firm owned by global financial firm Morgan Stanley. The development will be rebranded as Aria on the Row.
“We felt like the market conditions were right to sell and look for our next project, which we’re doing right now in the city of Worcester and elsewhere,” said Lambert.
While Wood Partners’ next Worcester project is still hush-hush, the firm has a plan under contract it is presenting to the City of Worcester soon, with Lambert stating he thinks the city has demand for all different types of housing.
“Meaning, the downtown large-scale Class A like Alta on the Row, and then something a little bit lower density, slightly lower price point, maybe more suburban,” he said. “We’re looking at a project that’s quite a bit different than Alta on the Row, but we’re excited about it.”
- Story by Mica Kanner-Mascolo
*denotes repeat winner
Best Venue for a Business Meeting
Winner: Beechwood Hotel*, in Worcester
The Beechwood has more than 8,000 square feet of flexible venue space for a variety of meetings at its 13 function rooms. Customizable options include audiovisual setups, seasonal outdoor seating, an on-site event planner, banquet cuisine options, group rates for attendees staying at the hotel, and free parking.
Website: www.beechwoodhotel.com
Top executive: Sayed Saleh, asset manager & managing director
Founded: 1989
Employees: 80
Notable runners-up: The Hogan Center at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Venture X – Marlborough, Worcester Country Club
Best Nonprofit Fundraiser Event
Winner: Champions for Children*, in Worcester
CASA Project Worcester County provides advocacy for children and families involved in child welfare and juvenile court systems across Worcester County’s 60 cities and towns. The organization trains and coordinates volunteer court-appointed special advocates, who work with the Worcester County Juvenile Court. The annual Champions for Children fundraiser supports the organization’s advocacy work through community engagement and fundraising activities. The 2025 event set a new fundraising record of $150,000.
Organizer: CASA Project Worcester County
Amount raised: $150,000
Website: www.thecasaproject.org
Top executive: Julie Bowditch, executive director
Founded: 1981
Employees: 15
Notable runners-up: Reliant Foundation 5K in Worcester, DetecTogether Gala, Auction & Golf Tournament in Westboro
Best Public Golf Course
Winner: Green Hill Municipal Golf Course*, in Worcester
Green Hill Municipal Golf Course offers golf, a driving range, merchandise, instruction, and programming. The City of Worcester operates the 96-year-old course, which provides access to maintained grounds, equipment, and professional instruction. The course serves golfers of all skill levels and offers free programming and community-based initiatives focused on accessibility and inclusion.
Website: www.greenhillgc.com
Founded: 1929
Employees: 3 full-time and 15 seasonal
Notable runners-up: Kettle Brook Golf Club in Paxton, Wachusett Country Club in West Boylston, Cyprian Keyes Golf Club in Boylston
Best Venue for a Corporate Event
Winner: Hogan Campus Center at the College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester
The Hogan Center at Holy Cross offers 18,000 square feet of meeting space including a ballroom, stage, reception area, and 16 breakout rooms. The facility features floor-to-ceiling windows, audiovisual technology, high-speed wireless internet, free parking, and handicap accessibility. Holy Cross hospitality provides exclusive catering services with locally sourced ingredients. The center serves corporate events, conferences, and meetings in Worcester.
Website: www.holycross.edu/about-holy-cross/offices-services/catering-event-services
Top executive: Richard Perna, associate vice president of Holy Cross hospitality services
Founded: 1843
Employees: 40 employees in catering and events (1,309 at college total)
Notable runners-up: Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Polar Park in Worcester
Best Venue for an Employee Outing
Winner: Polar Park*, in Worcester
Polar Park is home to the Worcester Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The ballpark features multiple viewing areas and food and beverage options throughout the facility. Polar Park offers group and hospitality areas for corporate events and employee outings.
Website: woosox.com
Top executive: Charles Steinberg, president
Founded: 2021
Employees: 50 full-time (35 in Central Massachusetts); 350 part-time
Notable runners-up: Kimball Farm in Westford, Apex Entertainment in Marlborough, School Yahd in West Boylston
Best Private Golf Course
Winner: Worcester Country Club*
The championship golf course has hosted major championships like the Ryder Cup in 1927, the men’s U.S. Open in 1925, and the women’s U.S. Open in 1960. The luxury facility with amenities like a pool, a library, and a bowling alley can seat 450 indoors and 200 outdoors. WCC is one of only three golf clubs to host the top men’s, the top women’s and the top international golf tournaments.
Website: worcestercc.org
Top executive: Troy Sprister, general manager and chief operating officer
Founded: 1900
Notable runners-up: Tatnuck Country Club in Worcester, Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton
Best Golf Club for Corporate Outing
Winner: Wachusett Country Club, in West Boylston
Founded in 1927, Wachusett Country Club is a historic Donald Ross-designed, semi-private 18-hole course that has been run by four generations of the Marrone family. The superbly maintained course features a challenging layout, along with breathtaking views of Mount Wachusett and the Wachusett Reservoir, in addition to a full-service restaurant and Swing 365 Indoor Golf Lounge.
Website: wachusettcc.com
Top executive: Nick Marrone, owner and partner
Founded: 1927
Notable runners-up: Worcester Country Club, Cyprian Keyes Golf Club in Boylston
